Friday, July 30, 2010

Down Syndrome is Not a Death Sentence By Nikki Spencer

Your baby has just been diagnosed in utero with having Down syndrome, and you are scared. Scared because everything you remember about Down syndrome as a kid wasn't pretty. Scared because of what your Doctor or Geneticist is telling you. Scared because of all you've read online, most of it negative, bad, and fatalistic.

Much of what is on the web today is outdated and inaccurate. Let's start dispelling these falsehoods right away.

"People with Down syndrome suffer." Nothing could be further from the truth. People with Down syndrome don't feel pain any more than anyone else. They have the same capacity as anyone to be happy; perhaps even more so. They generally have a high self-esteem, they achieve to the best of their ability; they are educable. They love and are loved. They go to college, work meaningful jobs, drive cars, marry, entertain, and teach us. They do not suffer.

"A person with Down syndrome won't walk, talk, or read." Again, not true. Some may have more difficulty than others with these skills, but the vast majority does these things and does them well.

"Down syndrome is a dreadful disorder." Total speculation and absolute opinion. Most parents of a child with Down syndrome would disagree wholeheartedly.

"Down syndrome people are stupid and stop learning around 5th grade." People with Down syndrome are not stupid. They are intellectually disabled, or mentally retarded. "Retarded" is defined as "slow or to go slowly". It may take longer for them to learn something, but learn they do. Some people with Down syndrome may find certain concepts difficult to grasp. Learning is a lifelong process. Many people with Down syndrome go to college. Could a 5th grader do that?

It is true that people with Down syndrome have more challenges concerning health and life skills, but this does not mean their lives are not pleasant and not worth living. Some Down syndrome symptoms to be aware of include congenital heart defects (usually repairable through surgery), congenital gastro-intestinal defects (also surgically repairable), hypotonia or low-muscle tone, speech difficulties, thyroid issues, dental problems, and musculoskeletal problems.

It's important to note that while there are many symptoms of Down syndrome, one person doesn't exhibit all of the symptoms. One child may have a heart defect, have hypotonia, and need shoe orthotics for foot support. Another child may be born with Hirschsprung's disease, need extra help with speech, and be delayed in walking until age four. Yet a third child may have perfect heart and bowels but need glasses and hearing aids. Every child is different.

Scared of Down syndrome? Don't be. What you need to know, now.
http://www.down-syndrome-facts-and-fiction.com

Current, factual, and positive information about Down syndrome from someone who lives and breathes it everyday.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikki_Spencer


Sunday, July 25, 2010

Everything About Down Syndrome By George Key

The people who suffer from Down syndrome have average to low cognitive abilities and the chances of Down syndrome are 1 to 1000 births. Also this ratio greatly depends upon the age of the mother and many other factors. many of the symptoms of down syndrome may also be found in normal people such as poor muscle growth, ear infections, obstructive sleep, thyroid dysfunctions etc. It is advised that as soon as this syndrome is detected in children they should be treated in a conducive family environment and vocational training should be provided to them for their development. All of the symptoms of Down syndrome can not be overcome but with proper care and education, the life of the people affected from syndrome can be greatly improved.

Characteristics of Down syndrome:

People suffering from Down syndrome may have some of the following physical characteristics:

o Oblique eye fissures

o Muscle hypotonia

o Flat nasal bridge

o Single plamar fold

o Short neck

o White spots on the iris

o Congenital heart defects

o Single Flexion furrow of the fifth finger

o Higher number of ilnar loop dermatoglyphs

Some mental characteristics include:

o Mental retardation

o Low IQ due to above factor

These are just some of symptoms of the Down syndrome. Their are many other symptoms of this dreadful disorder.

Health of people:

The people suffering from this syndrome can experience any organ or organ system failure at any time. This type of syndrome can result from many genetic disorders. This results in wide variety of symptoms and even wider variety of problems and complications in the individuals. Prior to birth it can be tested and found out that the individual which will develop will have Down syndrome while some symptoms are clearly visible after the birth like heart malfunctions others come to light in the later years.

A survey conducted in United States showed that the life acceptancy of such people is around 49 years up from 25 years in 1980.The life expectancy also depends on many factors like the social environment of the individual as well as the family environment. Fertility is drastically reduced with males suffering the worst. Only 3 instances of a male suffering from Down syndrome becoming a father have been recorded.

People who support such people advise that such people should be given special guidance as well as education as well as a home environment which is suitable and caring for them and then only thy develop their minds to live like a normal person. With special care and understanding the world can be made a better place to live in for individuals suffering from Down syndrome.

Visit Genetic-Diseases.net, a site which tries to provide useful info about the most serious Genetic Diseases, like Down Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome etc. The site is frequently updated in order to give info about most of the Genetic Disorders!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Key

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Do You Know What Causes Down Syndrome? By Mike Selvon

Down syndrome children are a lot of work. Parents will need a team of doctors, including a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a pediatrician and other specialists, like speech therapists. Babies with Down syndrome may have trouble learning to roll over, sit up, feed, walk or talk. However, the temperament of these children is often extremely loving, loyal and gentle, which is why some doctors say raising a child with Down syndrome can be a rewarding experience. What causes Down syndrome boils down to genetics, although there is no way to prevent it.

An error in cell division is what causes this chromosomal disorder, experts say. Typically, human cells have 46 chromosomes; half from the sperm and half from the egg. Occasionally, extra genetic material builds up on the 21st chromosome when cells divide improperly and chromosome 21 becomes a trio, rather than a standard pair. In fact, another name of Down syndrome is "Trisomy 21." The triple chromosome will then continue to replicate improperly in each growing cell.

Doctors found that what causes Down syndrome environmentally may be the parents' age. For example, a 25-year-old mother has a 1/3,000 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome. By age 35, her risk will have increased to 1/365 and by 45, it will be a 1/30 chance of having a baby with the genetic condition! The latest Down syndrome research suggests that older fathers are now responsible for the 50% rise in risk, when the mother is also over 40.

Even though the odds get worse as the parents age, 80% of these babies are born to women who are 35 or younger. However, that statistic can also be explained because younger women are having many more babies. Younger mothers who smoke and have a meiotic II error or who smoke and take oral contraceptives are at increased risk for having a Down child as well.

During pregnancy, there are several screening tests to examine what causes Down syndrome. Some people get blood tests like the quad screen, which reveals chromosomal disorders between the eleventh and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy. Doctors look for plasma protein-A and the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone.

This test is about 87% effective in making a Down syndrome diagnosis. Ultrasound is another method to check for abnormalities. While these tests may give parents peace of mind, they may also set off a false alarm. Even though 1/20 women test positive, most will go on to deliver healthy babies anyway.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon