WORLD DOWN SYNDROME 2019: What Is Down Syndrome?

Every 21st of March of every year is set aside to celebrate people with Down syndrome and as a result of that, an insight review of what Down syndrome is all about is discussed.

 In human genetic structure, the gene holds an important integral of how we lookalike in terms of hair, eye color and so on. You probably would have heard people saying your eye color or nose structure resemble your grandma or grandpa this is as a result of your genes, which carry the codes responsible for all of our inherited traits which are grouped along rod-like structures called chromosomes. Human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes in every cell, half of which were inherited from both parents. Down syndrome occurs as a result of an extra chromosome that was created. This additional genetic material altered the course of development and characteristics associated with Down syndrome. The traits associated with Down syndrome can be physical and mentally such as low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes and so on.

WHAT CAUSES DOWN SYNDROME

According to the National Down Syndrome Society, the exact cause of the extra full or partial chromosomes which leads to Down syndrome is still unknown. But there is a factor which can be attributed to Down syndrome which is maternal age, which has been linked to increasing the chance of having a child with Down syndrome resulting from nondisjunction or mosaicism. But however, due to the high fertility rate in younger women, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

In addition, the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome can originate from either the father or mother. Approximately 5% of the cases have been traced to the father.

EFFECTS OF DOWN SYNDROME

The effects of Down syndrome varies from one person to another. Some will grow up to live almost entirely on there own, while others will need the assistance of others while growing up in caring for them.

People with Down syndrome tend to show common physical features such as small ears and a flat nose. Their mental ability varies, but most have mild to moderate issues with reasoning, understanding, and thinking. While growing up, they learn new skills and pick up a new one, but the rate at which it been done might be slow.

 Common health issues include heart problems, trouble hearing, and seeing.

TYPES OF DOWN SYNDROME

There are three types of Down syndrome, there are:

   1.Trisomy 21(Nondisjunction) 

This is the common form of Down syndrome which is caused by an error in cell division called Nondisjunction. This result in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.

2. Mosaicism

This is the least most common form of Down syndrome which occurs when there is a mixture of two types of cells, some containing the usual 46 chromosomes and some containing 47. Those cells with 47 chromosomes contain an extra chromosome 21.

3. Translocation Down Syndrome. In this type, each cell has part of an extra chromosome 21 or an entirely extra one. But it's attached to NOTHER chromosome of being in its own.

"Overall, Let show love to these wonderful human beings, they are still part of the human race. Do not discriminate"