Garifunas
Páginas: 4 (975 palabras)
Publicado: 17 de enero de 2013
About Down syndrome
Down syndrome (DS), also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It affectsabout 1 in every 800 babies born in the United States.The physical features and medical problems associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some kids with DS need a lot ofmedical attention, others lead healthy lives.
Though Down syndrome can't be prevented, it can be detected before a child is born. The health problems that may go along with DS can be treated, and manyresources are available to help kids and their families who are living with the condition.
What Causes It?
Normally, at the time of conception a baby inherits genetic information from its parentsin the form of 46 chromosomes: 23 from the mother and 23 from the father. In most cases of Down syndrome, a child gets an extra chromosome 21 — for a total of 47 chromosomes instead of 46.
Althoughno one knows for sure why DS occurs and there's no way to prevent the chromosomal error that causes it, scientists do know that women age 35 and older have a significantly higher risk of having achild with the condition. At age 30, for example, a woman has about a 1 in 1,000 chance of conceiving a child with DS. Those odds increase to about 1 in 400 by age 35. By 40 the risk rises to about 1 in100.
How Down Syndrome Affects Kids
Kids with Down syndrome tend to share certain physical features such as a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eyes, small ears, and a protruding tongue.Low muscle tone (called hypotonia) is also characteristic of children with DS, and babies in particular may seem especially "floppy." Though this can and often does improve over time, most childrenwith DS typically reach developmental milestones — like sitting up, crawling, and walking — later than other kids.
At birth, kids with DS are usually of average size, but they tend to grow at a...
Down syndrome (DS), also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It affectsabout 1 in every 800 babies born in the United States.The physical features and medical problems associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some kids with DS need a lot ofmedical attention, others lead healthy lives.
Though Down syndrome can't be prevented, it can be detected before a child is born. The health problems that may go along with DS can be treated, and manyresources are available to help kids and their families who are living with the condition.
What Causes It?
Normally, at the time of conception a baby inherits genetic information from its parentsin the form of 46 chromosomes: 23 from the mother and 23 from the father. In most cases of Down syndrome, a child gets an extra chromosome 21 — for a total of 47 chromosomes instead of 46.
Althoughno one knows for sure why DS occurs and there's no way to prevent the chromosomal error that causes it, scientists do know that women age 35 and older have a significantly higher risk of having achild with the condition. At age 30, for example, a woman has about a 1 in 1,000 chance of conceiving a child with DS. Those odds increase to about 1 in 400 by age 35. By 40 the risk rises to about 1 in100.
How Down Syndrome Affects Kids
Kids with Down syndrome tend to share certain physical features such as a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eyes, small ears, and a protruding tongue.Low muscle tone (called hypotonia) is also characteristic of children with DS, and babies in particular may seem especially "floppy." Though this can and often does improve over time, most childrenwith DS typically reach developmental milestones — like sitting up, crawling, and walking — later than other kids.
At birth, kids with DS are usually of average size, but they tend to grow at a...
Leer documento completo
Regístrate para leer el documento completo.