In this article, we will discuss people suffering from Down syndrome diseases. We will talk about their outlooks and symptoms, showing that they are special people. Everyone needs to know about the types of Down syndrome and the causes of Down syndrome. Most importantly, how to treat people with Down syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day?
What is Down syndrome?
“Down syndrome is a genetic disorder when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21”.
“Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes mild to serious physical and developmental problems.”
In easy words, we can define Down syndrome as a condition in which babies are born with extra chromosomes known as a copy of chromosome 21. Different numbers of chromosomes result in developmental variations and physical changes in babies’ bodies.
Earlier, after the birth of a baby, doctors perform a physical checkup. If they find any symptoms of Down syndrome, they go for medical tests to confirm whether the baby is a victim or not. World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated to spread awareness about people with Down Syndrome.
Types of Down syndrome
Ordinarily, we can divide Down syndrome into three types.
Trisomy 21: About 95% of people with Down syndrome are affected by this type.
Translocation Down syndrome: This type of Down syndrome falls at the 2nd number and it is involved in 3% of the patients.
Mosaic Down syndrome: Mosaic Down syndrome is found in just 2% of the people infected by chromosome 21.
Tests for Down syndrome
Usually, this disease can be diagnosed before the baby’s birth or just after the birth of a baby. The mother’s blood samples generally test for Down syndrome during the first and second trimesters. The technicians check the level of specific proteins in the mother’s blood. These tests are known as screening tests.
There are other tests to check for Down syndrome during pregnancy. Amniocenteses, chorionic sampling villus, and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling. Then, a blood test is done after the birth of a baby to check the level of chromosomes, and this test tells you if your baby has Down syndrome.
Causes of Down syndrome
On World Down Syndrome Day, organizations are responsible for informing people about the causes of Down syndrome. Chromosomes are the sets of genes that our bodies must have in the proper amounts. As discussed earlier, trisomy is involved in 95% of Down syndrome cases. They have three copies of chromosomes instead of two copies in a cell.
In most people, each body cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. In this case, one of the chromosomes in each cell comes from both parents. But in Down syndrome, due to some problems, the baby gets extra copies of chromosome 21.
In this case, the age factor of both parents is the reason for Down syndrome in babies.
Treatment of Down syndrome
Usually, Down syndrome does not have any cure plans, but treatments help improve skills like speech, physical, occupational, or educational therapy in the early days of diagnosis. On world syndrome day we highlight these points to the people.
The Top Ten Symptoms of Down Syndrome
In order to know whether a baby has Down syndrome, there are many ways to know. In short, we will discuss ten symptoms. If a person finds any of these in their baby, then they must inform their health care provider. Every year on World Syndrome Day, people and organizations raise these points to highlight the symptoms of Down syndrome.
1. A flattened face
Flatted face, especially with the bridge nose, is one of the primary indications. Without wasting time, if anyone finds this type of face on their newborn baby, they must take their baby to the doctor.
2. Almond-shaped eyes
There is an average of one out of 700 babies having Down syndrome. Usually, almond-shaped eyes are a common indicator for them to recognize the special baby.
3. Short Neck
A person or baby with a short neck can have Down syndrome. Therefore, parents should bring the baby to the doctor. So, he may help them in his physical therapy.
4. Small Ears
Not every baby with small ears has Down syndrome, but small ears also indicate this specific disease. If couples have babies with tiny ears, for this reason, it’s their responsibility to take the baby to the hospital for a checkup.
5. Tiny white spots in the eyes
People with Down syndrome have tiny white spots in their eyes. These patients should visit the ophthalmologist on a priority basis because it can affect their eyes.
6. Sticking the tongue out of the mouth
After some days of a baby’s birth, this symptom ordinarily indicates that the baby has Down syndrome. At the same time, early treatment like speech therapy can improve speaking a little bit.
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7. Small hands and feet
In our daily routine, we see people with small hands and feet with a specific shape. We can recognize them easily that they have Down syndrome. Although these people have almost the same faces and the same physiques.
8. A single line on the palm
When a baby comes to the earth, we can identify Down syndrome by watching his hand. A single line on the palm is one of the easiest ways to recognize Down syndrome.
9. Small and pinky curved fingers
People with Down syndrome have tiny fingers on their hands and feet. These fingers of Down syndrome are mostly curled towards the thumb of the same hand. Meanwhile, some people have extra fingers on their hands and feet. It also indicates the symptoms of Down syndrome.
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10. Poor muscles and weak joints
While walking on the roads or in our society, we see people with an average weight but a loose bodies. We note them walking loosely with flexible joints. They also have Down’s syndrome.
Conclusion
As discussed earlier, Down syndrome people are easily recognizable, and their problem is by nature. So, we need to take good care of them. Our responsibility is to tell other people about their condition, not to make fun of them. Many people are unaware of the symptoms of Down syndrome, and it is a basic need to inform them about this problem. All the symptoms mentioned above are clear and easy to recognize, so we need to work on them to help Down syndrome in every sense.
FAQs:
What are the types of Down syndrome?
Down syndrome can be categorized into three types: Trisomy 21, Translocation Down syndrome, and Mosaic Down syndrome. Trisomy 21 is the most common type, affecting about 95% of individuals with Down syndrome.
How is Down syndrome diagnosed?
Down syndrome can be diagnosed through prenatal screening tests during pregnancy, such as maternal blood tests and ultrasound scans. After birth, a blood test called karyotyping is performed to confirm the diagnosis.
What are the causes of Down syndrome?
Down syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material can result from abnormal cell division during the formation of reproductive cells or early embryonic development.
How is Down syndrome treated?
While there is no cure for Down syndrome, individuals can benefit from early interventions and therapies such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and educational support. These treatments aim to improve developmental skills and quality of life.
