What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an abnormal cell division in the body that naturally results in a partial copy or extra of chromosome 21. The extra genetic will lead to developmental and physical changes.

Down syndrome, also known as down’s syndrome, is a health issue in which a child is born with a copy or an extra of their 21st chromosome. This 21st chromosome is also known as trisomy 21. As a result of this additional 21st chromosome or trisomy 21, there are abound to be physical and mental development delays or disabilities. Some people living with down syndrome don’t live for a long time because reports revealed that they die earlier than usual. Down syndrome does not kill like cancer, stroke, diabetes, and other dangerous diseases if adequately taken care of.

People who are living with down syndrome live a healthy life and live longer with the help of several institutions, organizations, and available medical advancements, especially in the United States. There’s support for people who are living with down syndrome.

These organizations and institutions help them to overcome most of their health challenges. The support is not just for people who are living with down syndrome alone because there is also for their family and guidance. The support helps them to live a better life, overcome down syndrome and enjoy the opportunities that everyone wants, especially in society.

Causes of Down Syndrome

The major causes of Down syndrome are through the parent and family history.

If there is anyone that is living with Down syndrome in your family, then you will likely give birth to a child with Down syndrome.

Likewise, if you are older than 35 years of age as a mother or 40 years of age as a father, then you have more chances of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome.

Risk Factors of Down Syndrome

There are several risk factors of Down syndrome, but the most common risk factor is through parent and family history.

Your child has a higher chance of having down syndrome if you are older than 35 years of age as a mother. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, women of 30 years of age or above have a more imposing risk of having children with Down syndrome compared to women of 30 years and below.

So the higher the age of the parents, the higher the risk of a child with down syndrome. It is not mother only. It is both mother and father because there is a study in 2003 that shows fathers above the age of 40 have higher risks of having a child with Down syndrome.

Old parents have higher chances of giving birth to children with Down syndrome. Likewise, family history is also one of the most common risk factors for Down syndrome.

If any of your family members is living with Down syndrome, then you have a higher gamble of having a baby with down syndrome.

Types of Down syndrome

There are three types of down syndrome.

Trisomy 21

Trisomy 21 is the first type of Down syndrome, and it means there is an extra copy in all cells.

Trisomy 21 is the most common and popular type of down syndrome. It is common in both children and adults.

Mosaicism

Mosaicism is the second type of Down syndrome, and it begins to show symptoms when a child was born with an additional chromosome in few cells, although it is not all their cells.

After several pieces of research and records, people who are living with this type of down syndrome, which is known as mosaicism, have few symptoms compared to those who are living with the first type of Down syndrome, which is known as trisomy 21.

Translocation

Translocation is the third and the last type of down syndrome. It affects children the most, and it occurs when a child has one extra part of chromosome 21. There are about 46 total chromosomes.

And one of chromosome 21 has an extra or full piece of chromosome 21 attached to it.

Symptoms of Down Syndrome

There are several symptoms of Down syndrome. Most children are born with this popular disease, while some children begin to develop down syndrome symptoms between the age of 1 to 5.

As a pregnant mother, there are no symptoms of a child with Down syndrome during pregnancy. Although, you can discover if your child is living with Down syndrome from the womb with proper screening during pregnancy.

Immediately after birth, babies with Down syndrome usually have these sign which are down syndrome symptoms these signs, including:

• Flat facial features
• Short neck
• Poor muscle tone
• Bulging tongue
• Eyes that slant upward
• Atypically shaped ears
• Small head and ears

Most of the babies born with Down syndrome don’t show the symptoms of down syndrome immediately after birth. They will be of average size, just like children who are not with any disease or infection. But the symptoms of Down syndrome will begin to show as they grow older, and they will begin to develop slower than healthy children of the same age.

Most people with Down syndrome have several developmental disabilities, which may be mild or moderate, but as they grow older, the symptoms will begin to grow. Children with Down syndrome have numerous mental and social development delays, and most of them will be living with several health issues.

• Impulsive behavior
• Short attention span
• Slow learning capabilities
• Poor judgment

These health issues also come with Down syndrome. If a child is living with down syndrome, he or she may experience any of these health problems.

• Congenital heart defects
• Hearing loss
• Poor vision
• Cataracts (clouded eyes)
• Hip problems such as dislocations
• Chronic constipation
• Sleep apnea
• Dementia (Thought and memory problems)
• Hypothyroidism
• Late tooth growth, causing problems with chewing
• Alzheimer’s Disease

People with Down syndrome have a more imposing risk of developing several infections like respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and other health issues.

Diagnosis of Down Syndrome

Doctors and other health practitioners can detect Down syndrome in a newborn baby based on the baby’s appearance. And he or she can confirm down syndrome in a child by carrying out a blood test that is known as a karyotype test which is lined up with the chromosomes, and it will show if there is any extra or copy of chromosome 21.

Treatment of Down Syndrome

Presently, there is actually no cure for Down syndrome. However, there are numerous organizations and institutions, especially in the United States and other developed countries around the world, that offer several programs to support both the person that is living with Down syndrome and his or her family or guidance.

This support includes educational and other programs that will help people that are living with Down syndrome and their families.

The NDSS is one of the places that provide several programs in the United States. NDSS provides several programs like special education and teachers included therapists that will help children who are living with Down syndrome to learn numerous skills, including:

• Sensory skills
• Social skills
• Self-help skills
• Motor skills
• Language and cognitive abilities.

Most children that are living with their children learn very slow compare to healthy children.

How to Prevent Down Syndrome

Currently, there is no manufactured supplement that prevents down syndrome during pregnancy or immediately after birth.

In Conclusion

Down syndrome does not have a cure at the moment of writing this article, but proper medical attention from health practitioners will reduce the effect and symptoms of Down syndrome in your child. Although they may live with several health issues, a child with Down syndrome can still live a normal life just like a healthy individual.

At this point, I’m very sure you don’t know the causes, how to prevent, and symptoms of Down syndrome.