Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is an increasingly prevalent disease in the US. It is a genetic disease that is caused by an extra 21st chromosome. One in about every 800 live births has Down syndrome (National Down Syndrome Society). Down syndrome is the most common form of both identifiable retardation (Ludman and Wynbrandt, page 23) and genetic diseases (National Down Syndrome Society). Down syndrome was first recognized as a disease by John Langdon Down in 1866. Down is the namesake of the disease and is commonly called the "father" of Down syndrome. Down's original name for the syndrome was "Mongolian Idiocy," because of the slanted eyes and flat face of the carriers (National Down Syndrome Society). He thought that it was a throw-back to Mongolian ancestors, but the term is now out-of-date and thought to be offensive. For centuries before, however, Down syndrome characteristics had been found in art, literature, and science (National Down Syndrome Society). Down was working in a mental institution when he observed that several of his patients had similar features, and this urged him to study them (Ward). He finally concluded that they had a common disease, and classified it as Mongolian Idiocy (Ward). In 1959
Endocrine gland malfunctions can be relieved with a special diet and drug regime (Diseases, page 28). This is when there is a hole between the atria and ventricles and one common valve between the two atria and two ventricles, and can cause pulmonary hypertension (Common Heart Defects). At 35, the risk of a mother conceiving a baby with Down syndrome is one in 400 (National Down Syndrome Society). There are still only 46 chromosomes, but the extra part of the 21st chromosome causes the symptoms of Down syndrome. The advances in technology are increasing the life expectancy, as well. The most common, making up 50 percent of the total, is Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD) (Common Heart Defects). By the age of 40, the risk increases to one in 110 (National Down Syndrome Society). Alzheimer's disease is also prevalent in Down syndrome patients. About 50 percent of people with Down syndrome are born with congenital heart defects (National Down Syndrome Society). After the discovery of antibiotics, the life expectancy increased to 19 or 20 (National Down Syndrome Society). Ventricular Septal Defect occurs when there is a hole in the bottom chambers (Common Heart Defects). At 45, the incidence is about one in 35 (National Down Syndrome Society). Delayed growth can be managed with early nutritional support and monitoring of the heart and thyroid. For those who contract Leukemia, there is also a higher mortality rate (Baily, Chessells, Gibson, Hann, Harrison, Hill, and Richards). He found that instead of 46 chromosomes, there was an extra partial or complete 21st chromosome.
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