1. Nicolette Laird Period 3
Down Syndrome
Nicolette Laird
Period 3

2. What is Down Syndrome? Also known as Trisomy 21
A person has 2 sets of Chromosome 21
They have 47 Chromosomes instead of the normal 46
Creates problems with physical and mental development
Is not hereditary

3. Normal Genotype Vs. Down Syndrome Genotype

4. Age Affects Down Syndrome
The chances of having a child with Down Syndrome increases with age
30 years of age: 1 in 900 chance of having a child with Down Syndrome
35 years of age: 1 in 350
40 years of age: 1 in 100

5. Diagnosis Diagnosis occurs at birth or shortly thereafter
Diagnosis is confirmed by a chromosome test
Karyotype: a test that shows chromosomes grouped by size, number, and shape

6. Physical Attributes Decreased muscle tone (hypotonia)
Excess skin at the nape of the neck
Flattened nose
Single crease in the palm of the hand
Small ears
Small mouth
Upward slanting eyes
Don’t grow to full height

7. Learning Children have delayed mental and social development
Learn and grasp topics at a slower pace than other children
Lack of muscle tone makes it difficult to talk and use fine motor skills (holding a pencil or building block towers)

8. Health Problems Heart defects Loss of sight and hearing
Underactive thyroid
High blood pressure
Intestinal problems
Higher risk of childhood leukemia
Respiratory disorders

9. Treatments
Currently no treatments for Down syndrome because it is a problem with the chromosomes
Treatment works on controlling symptoms and any medical problems that occur from the defect
Regular checkups and screening
Medications for any medical problems that might arise
Surgery
Counseling and support

10. Helping a Child with Down Syndrome
Contact the National Down Syndrome Society about support groups
Create a strong bond between you and the child
Enroll the child in Early Intervention Services to help with movement and speech therapy
To help with delayed speech development, teach the child sign language so that the child can communicate

11. Additional Resources National Down Syndrome Society
National Association for Down Syndrome
Mile High Down Syndrome Association

12. Works Sited
health/190-6-how-does-downs-syndrome-affect-development.html
syndrome-p2.html
education/
/BUxWT11X/wnmpHw/Trisomy%2021%20highlighted.tif
rl_with_Down_Syndrome.jpg
e.jpg

13. Fin