Charleson Kurt G.

Ong 10-MF

Grade 10 | Science (Quarter 3, Week 4)

Performance Task: Research

Down Syndrome: An Insight

Down syndrome is ranked as the most common genetic disorder followed by cystic fibrosis.
This occurs when a baby is born with an extra chromosome. This extra chromosome causes delays in
the way a child develops mentally physically. Physical features may also differ when compared to a
normal individual, but this can vary from person to person.
There are three variants of this condition: Trisomy 21, Translocation Down Syndrome, and
Mosaic Down Syndrome. Trisomy 21 is by far the most common type, where every cell in the body
has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of only two. Translocation Down Syndrome on the other
hand, is a variant where each cell has a part of chromosome 21, or an entirely extra one. But it’s
attached to another chromosome instead of being on its own. And finally, the rarest type; Mosaic
Down Syndrome, where only some cells have an extra chromosome 21.
Down Syndrome can be diagnosed as soon as pregnancy. Doctors can diagnose this by,
taking a blood test of the patient to measure the levels of protein called PAPP-A and a hormone
called hCG. Anything out of the normal range could mean a problem with the baby. It could also be
diagnosed using ultrasound, where the doctor will look at an image of the baby and measure the folds
of tissue at the back of their neck. Babies with the condition tend to have extra fluid in the said
region.
There is no specific treatment for Down Syndrome. But there is a wide range of physical and
developmental therapies designed to help people with the disorder and reach their full potential.
Therapies include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, specialized education services
(SPED), and social and recreation activities,
Many people have different views in this condition. Most people accept them for who they
are because they understand that this condition is difficult and irreversible. But there are also some
people who alienate them. In society, individuals with Down Syndrome are seen as people who can’t
do jobs and are segregated against normal people who can do jobs. But fortunately, the good
outweighs the bad. There are more people who care for them than the people that despise them. We
are all human in way or another, whatever our condition or illness is, we are all still the same.