PHOTO: BeNotAfraid.net


In the previous post, D Sweeper asked about Down syndrome -- what it is and what causes it. Many of us have seen people with Down Syndrome, or whom some refer to as "mongoloids." They look alike so it's easy to distinguish them from others. I remember tagging along as a kid when a brother of mine drove to my sister's school to fetch her, when she was still a student at that school for children with special needs. A dozen or so other students there had Down syndrome (just like my sister) and I recall being fascinated by the fact that my sister resembled her classmates more than she did me (and I was her sister!).

Here's a tidbit: the chromosomal disorder is called "Down syndrome" because a British doctor by the name of John Down was responsible for discovering much about the disorder. I forget know what exactly his studies led him to find.

Below is some basic information about Down syndrome that I've taken from two sites, both of which are included in the list of links on the left.

What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder characterized by the presence of an extra #21 chromosome. Instead of having 46 chromosomes in each of his/her cells, a person with Down syndrome has 47.
More from the National Down Syndrome Congress

A person normally has 46 chromosomes, 23 inherited from each parent. Every person has a unique genetic code (with the exception of identical twins). It is this uniqueness which makes the physical appearance of each person different... Down syndrome is caused by a person having three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two copies. This is why Down syndrome is also referred to by the name Trisomy 21... Down syndrome occurs in all races, in all socio-economic conditions, and in all countries. No relationship between diet or illness and Down syndrome has ever been found. The only established relationship is with maternal age. A woman is more likely to have a child with Down syndrome as she grows older with a sharp rise in risk at 35-40 years of age. However, 80% of all children with Down syndrome are born to mothers under 35.
More from Down Syndrome for New Parents




posted by sunnyday at 2:38 PM

4 Comments:

 "D" sWeEpeR said...

thanks for the info. I like the picture you posted, I think it is a reflection of love, peace, and sincerity.

4:19 PM  

 sunnyday said...

Hope I was able to help you out there.

I like the pic, too. Love, peace and sincerity...and serenity, too. =)

10:08 AM  

 AsianSmiles said...

Ako din. :)

3:07 PM  

 sunnyday said...

Hi!! You know where else there are cute pics of babies and kids? Sa "Band of Angels" website. It's on the list of links under "Special Needs".

8:53 PM  

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