Thursday 9 October 2014

disorder

Kristina Mitrovic
Science
10/8/2014


Turner Syndrome

Kayla and her sister


Turner syndrome affects 1 in 2,500 girls each year. Just recently there was an interview done with Kayla, and her parents about her disorder. The disorder she was diagnosed with is called Turner syndrome. “BLOOMINGTON — At first glance, Kayla Scottberg doesn’t look much different from any other 5-year-old girl.” She and her sister were about the same height, 3 feet and 3 inches tall, with her sister being 2 years younger than her. Kayla’s ears are described to be “low set” and she has a wider neck. Unfortunately, the biggest concerns for this disorder aren’t just the physical appearances. There is a chance for kidney complications, heart problems, ear problems, and vision problems. The chances for her to have children later in life are low, but she will be taking growth hormones and some other to help her develop. Kayla’s mother, Melissa recommends for all the newborn girls to have a karyotype blood test, because in her experience she had no idea for three years that Kayla had Turner syndrome. “This comes from a mother who had no idea her daughter had this for three years,” Scottberg said. “Kayla is my argument to the world that practitioners might not recognize girls with Turner syndrome.”

Turner syndrome can be diagnosed at any point in life. It can be seen through a karyotype (arrangement of homologous pairs from largest to smallest) or even an ultrasound. ” The family met with a geneticist, who confirmed the diagnosis and explained that Kayla was missing an X chromosome. In November 2011, they met for the first time with Benavides, who recommended growth hormone therapy and that Kayla see a variety of other sub-specialists to determine the extent of Kayla’s Turner symptoms.” –Pantagraph.com

This disorder has to do with the x chromosome. Everyone should have two sex cells in each of these, but when there is only one x chromosome, and when the other one is missing or incomplete, that is called turner syndrome. Half of the people have Monosomy x, which is only having one of these in their bodies, while there are other types of like Mosaicism which is also a type of Turner syndrome.

“Melissa gives Kayla an injection each evening of a growth hormone called Omnitrope. How do the shots in the arm feel?”
Girls with Turner syndrome



“It tickles,” Kayla said.

Why is she getting the shots?

“Because it helps me grow,” she said. “It doesn’t scare me.”

Asked whether she knew she has Turner syndrome, Kayla nodded.

The therapy is helping. For the first time in her life, Kayla is on the height and weight chart, albeit at 1 percent. –Pantagraph.com


Kayla’s chances of living a normal life for now can be increased, and if she gets the right medication, there is a chance she can grow up to develop in a normal way. Kayla will, however throughout her life have regular health checkups, and use growth hormones.

2 comments:

  1. Hi kiki, your blog has caught my attention! You explained about Kayla in detail and Turner syndrome to understand easily for readers. Moreover, you wrote the sources in the paragraphs that showed where you got the information from. Good job :D

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  2. You did a really great job of first of all telling the readers about this syndrome, but also talking abou Kayla in detail and how she is doing while having the turner syndrome. Also, I really liked how you used a lot of detail about the article and using many quotes for the readers to better understand your story. Nice job :)

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