Example research essay topic: People With Down Syndrome 21 St Chromosome - 1,571 words

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H 2 > Introduction In the United States about one in every 1000 live births is a child with Downs Syndrome. Downs Syndrome affects all races and genders. It is caused by extra genetic material on the twenty-first chromosome. There are three different types of Downs Syndrome known to man today. The first case of reported was in the late 1950 s, but the condition was identified in the late 1960 s.

In most cases it is simple to identify an individual with Downs Syndrome. In most cases the facial features give it away, but today with new technology it is easy to make these features less noticeable. While there is no cure for Downs Syndrome, there are treatments that can help patients live full and happy lives. These treatments are not proven to be one hundred percent affective, but they have helped many patients to live happier, more comfortable lives. The Medical problems are involved with Downs Syndrome are more severe in Downs then they would be in that of a healthy child. What is Downs Syndrome? Named for a British Doctor, John Langdon Down, who first clinically identified the condition in 1866, Downs Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by extra genetic genes from the twenty-first chromosome (figure 1). It is unknown what causes the extra chromosome, but tit produces extra proteins, and when the extra chromosome is present the production of the proteins are doubled and causes the typical Downs Syndrome features. (The Story of Downs Syndrome) What are the Different Types of Downs Syndrome?

Figure 2 Downs Syndrome, sometimes refereed to as DS or Downs, can occur in three different forms, Trisomy 21 (figure 2), Translocation, and Music. The most common of the three, Trisomy 21, affecting 95 percent of patients with Downs Syndrome is caused by an extra 21 st chromosome. Usually a person has twenty-three pairs of chromosomes, each made up of genes, but in Trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) the person has three number 21 chromosomes instead of two. This occurs when the formation of the egg or sperm a double-dose of the chromosome goes to the egg or sperm. Usually when the egg or sperm are forming they split so that only one chromosome is in the egg or sperm, but in trisomy 21 they dont split causing the individual to have more chromosomes then they need. In the second form, translocation, which occurs in about three or four percent of Downs cases.

In this form an extra part of chromosome number 21 joins with another chromosome. In half of Downs cases with translocation one of the parents caries an extra 21 st chromosome in a balanced or hidden form. In the third form, mosaic, the individual with Downs has an extra 21 st chromosome only in some of the cells. This however, is extremely rare and only affects about 2 % of the Downs cases. What are the odds of having a child with Downs Syndrome? The odds of having a child with DS are various. Anywhere from 1 in 800 live births to 1 in 1100 live births.

There is no greater chance of having a child with Downs associated with particular race, culture or geographic region. In recent studies, however, it has been proven that most Downs Syndrome cases are associated to a mothers age. The odds of having a child with Downs Syndrome increases as the age of the mother increases in which she reproduces. A mother who is 25 has about a 1 in 1400, 35 is a 1 in 350, but as the mother reaches 40 her chances increase to about 1 in every 100 live births.

Another factor is if the parent already has Trisomy 21 it is 1 in 100 at any age. What is the fertility rate in Downs Syndrome? The chances of a woman with Downs Syndrome becoming pregnant is about 50 %, however, most males are sterile and cant have children. In history there is one story of a man producing a pregnancy and the mother had Downs Syndrome as well. The Pregnancy miscarried about halfway through. What are some of the treatments for downs? While Downs Syndrome cant be cured or outgrown in any way providing good medical care can modify the affects. None of the following treatments have been proven 100 % affective, many people have said that they help them a little, but some also belief that this is because they have a positive outlook because there may be some hope. Some treatments include thyroid, hormone, pituitary extract, glutamic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, sica cell therapy, five hydroxythptophan, various vitamin and mineral therapies, and most recently, noo tropic drugs like piracetam. The most dangerous out of all these treatments is the sicca cell therapy.

The vitamin and mineral therapies can help to regulate a lot of body functions and that is why it is most commonly used. Can Downs Syndrome patients be educated? With the right education and attention of parental figures the individual with Downs Syndrome can learn to do things such as read. Teaching them however takes a great amount of patience. Downs carries delays such as in learning areas. Many people have learned to walk, talk, swim, ride a bike, read and live lives as most other children do. The earlier a child is taught the better the chance of a child learning to do things such as read. Adults can do these things too, but it will most likely take longer and require a greater amount of time and patience. What are Common characteristics or features linked to downs? Some of the most Common features of an individual with downs are: poor muscle tone, slanted eyes with folds of skin at the inner corners, hyperflexablitliy, short broad hands with a crease across the palm or palms, broad feet with short toes, flat bridge of the nose, small head, small mouth opening (Figure 3) as well as high-pitched cries as an infant.

Even with these features being common it is very rare to find a person with all or most of the features. Aside from these physical features most Downs Syndrome cases are at a lower intellectual development level then other kids their age. Children with Downs Syndrome usually have a lot of health related problems such a lower residence to infection, which makes them more prone to repertory problems. Hearing and sight is also another issue in Downs Syndrome.

They usually are near or farsighted or cross-eyed, moderate hearing loss and speech difficulty. In specifics what do these features mean? Low muscle tone or, hypoxia means that the muscle appears to be relaxed, or floppy. This will affect movement of the body. Skin is one of the most sensitive areas of an individual with Downs Syndrome. The skin is fair, and is to irritation or cracking. Their hair is usually very short, and fine, as well as sparse. What are the most common skin problems? As a newborn they usually will have blue hands and feet for several days after birth. Another common skin problem among newborn babies is a bluish molting of the skin cutis (marmara ta).

This case of skin problem is common in all babies but generally last longer in ds babies. Chronic skin conditions are common in Downs Syndrome. It causes dry, rough skin. It is associated with a vitamin A deficiency.

This condition is best managed best with nondrying soaps, adding oils to bath water, and using moisturizers daily. What is the life expectancy of a child with Downs Syndrome? Generally Downs Syndrome reduces a persons life by about 10 to 20 years. There have been people with Downs Syndrome who have lived well into their 80 s. Because Downs Syndrome patients age prematurely they usually have medical issues which causes the to die at an earlier age. Are people with Down Syndrome at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life? It would depend on your view of Alzheimers. Although it is true that some of the Alzheimer-like changes in the physical brain occur in most, if not all, people with Down Syndrome as they age, the clinical appearance of dementia does not always occur.

The latest thinking is that because of premature aging, Alzheimer's dementia that does develop comes on at an earlier age but that the incidence of dementia may or may not be increased. It would be wrong to assume that an adult with Down Syndrome who appears to have developed dementia does in fact have Alzheimer's dementia. There are many medical and psychiatric conditions that may mimic dementia. This is particularly true if the individual is less than 40 or 50 years of age. (National Downs Syndrome Assoc. ) How should a parent and doctor care for a child with Downs? Neonatal period Directly from birth the first place a Downs Syndrome baby should be taken is to then exam room for diagnosis to determine more serious problems such as a heart condition. The first defects that should be tested for are mostly heart related. Heart defects are extreme...

Research essay sample on People With Down Syndrome 21 St Chromosome