Down Syndrome- Trisomy 21

Down Syndrome

So I've found this article on an International Down-Syndrome- Page about the First Down Syndrome Clinic in the Balcans December 2013. It would be a great improvement, because with the opening of this clinic, people with Down-Syndrome would be able to update their health and life-quality. Specialized providers would be considered of the special health care needs of children and adults.

What is the Purpose?  To improve the life- quality of individuals wit Down-Syndrome and to give realistic and professional information to families who ably to the clinic with questions about Down- Syndrome (for ex.: Pregnancy; Pre-pregnancy; postnatal periods) in a positive manner and to respect the families opinions and decisions.

What is Down Syndrome

This is a Karyotype of a female Down-Syndrome individual. As you can see: Chromosome 21 has an extra chromosome. So people that suffer from Down-Syndrome have 47 (one too much) chromosomes instead of 46. 

 How did that happen?

Many errors can occur during the process of the cell division. The pairs of chromosomes are supposed to split up and go to different spots. This is called "disjunction" and it happens in Meiosis. It can happen that one pair doesn't divide and the whole pair goes to one spot : One cell will have 24 pairs of chromosomes, One 22 ("Nondisjunction". --> If a sperm or an egg with an abnormal number of chromosomes merges with a normal mate, the resulting egg will have an abnormal number of chromosomes. This is what happens with 95% of all cases. Research has shown that in these cases 90% of the abnormal cells are the female eggs.

The cause of the nondisjunction is not known yet, but is has definitely something to do with the maternal age.

Features           

"outside"                                                           "inside"

flatter face                                                         less intelligent than normal people

short neck                                                          often heart problems
upward slanting eyes                                        

open mouth
folded ears
flat nose
excessive skin

BUT

kids or adults with Down-Syndrome can still go to regular schools or work, enjoy their life, make friends - just as normal people do. Technology and Medicine has developed so those people live longer no and have special help and care in their needs. They can be healthier, happier and develop an independent life.