Down syndrome and Teenage Pregnancy

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Down syndrome and Teenage Pregnancy

Introduction

Down syndrome is relatively a common genetic disorder in which a person has an extra level of 21st chromosome. It should also be noted that, Down syndrome can be detected before and after a baby is born (downsyndrome.com). This disorder is named after the late British physician John Langdon Haydon Down (1828-1896) who was the first person to provide the collection of findings related to the Down syndrome. However, the causes if down syndrome were identified in the late 1950s.

Down syndrome, itself has 3 types namely Trisomy 21, Translocation and Mosaicism. However, Trisomy Down syndrome is the most widespread among them. However, the following pages will discuss these types of Down syndrome along with the effects of Down syndrome on the child. Furthermore, the risks of having a baby with Down syndrome in teenage pregnancy and its effects will also be discussed in detail.

Discussion

Types of Down syndrome

Trisomy 21: It is the most common Down syndrome that occurs among its two types. As the research shows that, almost 90% of people suffering from Down syndrome is linked with the Trisomy 21. This disorder occurs when 21st chromosome does not split into a single chromosome and so double-dose is being injected to the sperm of the male or in the egg of the female. As in the normal case when the sperm of the male or the egg of the female is being formed, the pair of chromosomes split into one so that only a single chromosome is present in the egg or sperm. As in this case it is simply just not happening.

Translocation: This type of Down syndrome rarely occurs as compared to Trisomy 21. As per research, only 4% to 5% people with Down syndrome suffer with this type of disorder. This type of Down syndrome disorder arises when an additional part of the 21st chromosome gets caught onto another chromosome. According to research, in about half of the cases involving Down syndrome one parent carries an extra 21st chromosome in both impartial and concealed forms.

Mosaicism: Mosaicism is the rarest form of Down syndrome disorder. According to the research, only 2 to 3 % of people suffering from Down syndrome disorder have Mosaicism. This type of Down syndrome disorder occurs when a person has additional 21st chromosome in only some of the cells of the egg or ...