Down syndrome

By Cody McPherson

Down syndrome

• A common chromosome disorder due to an extra chromosome number 21 (trisomy 21).

• Down syndrome causes mental retardation, a characteristic facial appearance, and multiple malformations. It is associated with a major risk for heart malformations, a lesser risk of duodenal atresia (part of the small intestines is not developed), and a minor but still significant risk of acute leukemia.

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Symptoms of down syndrome • Eyes that slant upward and outward• Narrow eye openings• A face that seems to be flattened• A small head compared to body size• Broad feet with short toes• Ears that are small and set low• Short arms and legs compared to length of body• Broad hands with short fingers and a single crease across the palm• Small nose and small mouth, in which the tongue may be relatively

large• Lack of muscle tone• Ability to extend body joints; extreme flexibility

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Long term effect• Life long effects are heart

defects, intestinal defects, vision problems, hearing loss, infections, thyroid problems, leukemia and memory loss.

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Needed help

• Infants with down syndrome needed more help than when they are in the later years of life because they are more prone to infections and illnesses

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How “I” can help

• People can help by volunteering at a place were children are cared for.

The end

Work cited

• Grace D. Matzen, M.A.; updated by Rebecca Kuzins

Photos cited

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