Down Syndrome

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Down Syndrome

• By Stefanie Allison

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What is Down Syndrome?

• A disorder that includes a combination of birth
  defects.
• One of the most common genetic birth defects
  caused by an extra chromosome.
• Named after John Langdon Down, who was the first
  British doctor to describe it in 1866.

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Birth Defects

• Some degree of mental retardation
• Facial features
• Heart defects
• Increased infections
• Problems with hearing and vision.

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Common Physical Features

• Can also be found in people who dont have down
  syndrome.
• Simian crease- single crease across one o both
  palms
• Almond shaped eyes
• Shorter limbs
• Speech impairment
• Protruding tongue.

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Health Concerns

• Higher risk of congenital heart defects
• Gastro esophageal reflex disease
• Recurrent ear infections.
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Thyroid dysfunction.

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Treatment or Cures

• Not Contagious
• Nothing to do with race or nationality, or who
  your parents are.
• The health problems can get treated.
• Medication will help any infections, and surgery
  can make the heart right.
• There is no cure.

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Difference in Ages

• Down syndrome is found in 1 of every 800 to 1 of
  1000 births.
• Age 20-24 1 of 1490 births
• Age 40 1 of 106 births
• Age 49 1 of 11 births
• 80 of children with down syndrome are born to
  women under the age of 35.

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Extra Information

• Kids who had down syndrome in the past did not
  live past childhood. They would become sick with
  infections, and die.
• Now kids with down syndrome, get their problems
  treated and live well into adulthood.
• A person with down syndrome has a good chance of
  living to be 50 years or older.

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Extra Information cont.

• Many children with down syndrome get bullied or
  picked on because they are slower, and they look
  different
• Kids with down syndrome can still attend school.

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Sources

• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/down-syndrome
• http//www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/birt
  hdefect/downsyndrome.html
• http//www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1214
  asp