Down Syndrome has become widespread among children, and as a result of its many symptoms and causes and its similarity to many other psychological disorders, many are interested in knowing the most dangerous types of Down Syndrome and the symptoms that accompany it, so that they can easily detect it and then take the necessary measures. It is known that this psychological disorder has existed since 1862, but in fact it has not been well known except in the past few years, and it is also known by this name after the American doctor who discovered it.
Diagnosis of Down Syndrome
Down syndrome can be diagnosed early, as there are many medical tests that a pregnant mother can perform during any month of pregnancy to diagnose this disease, and among these tests are the following:
- Taking samples of placental cells in the first three months of pregnancy, which is known as (CVS).
- Amniocentesis test is done by withdrawing a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus and examining it.
- Strong transparency test.
- An ultrasound test is done in the period from the tenth week until the fourteenth week of pregnancy.
- Percutaneous umbilical blood sample (PUBS) examination during the period from the tenth to the fourteenth week of pregnancy.
- Triple screen or quad screen examination which is known as multiple marker testing.
- Blood tests performed during the period from the eleventh to the sixteenth week of pregnancy.
Types of Down syndrome
There are three types of Down syndrome, and these types are as follows:
Down syndrome with trisomy 21
Down syndrome with trisomy 21 is highly prevalent;
Which leads to the repetition of chromosome 21 again, in excess of the normal rate, and accordingly the number of chromosomes becomes 47 instead of 46 per cell. This results in a defect in all cells due to their abnormal division during the growth process of the egg or sperm.
Down syndrome of the mosaic type
Mosaic type Down syndrome represents no more than 1% of the total cases of Down syndrome, which means that it is the least common type, and occurs as a result of abnormal cell division after fertilization of the egg.
It is known that there are two types of cells in the body of a person suffering from this disease, one of which contains the normal number of pigments, which is about 46, and the second type contains an abnormal number of 47, as a result of the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal translocation
Down syndrome with the translocation type is the second most common type, and the percentage of children with it is about 4% of the total number of people with Down syndrome. In this type, chromosome 21 separates and attaches to another chromosome, which may be a chromosome that often bears the number 13, 14, 15, 21, or 22, and this may be before or during pregnancy.
Causes of Down syndrome
Based on studies conducted on Down syndrome It has been shown that there are many reasons that may lead to the birth of a child with this psychological disorder, including the following:
- Dysfunctional cell division: This division may lead to the duplication of a cell carrying another extra chromosome number 21 during the process of ovulation or fertilization.
- Genetic factor: This is when there is a history of illness in the child’s family, whether on the father’s or mother’s side, although it does not appear in them, but it may appear in their child.
- Environmental factor: Some recent studies have indicated that there are many factors that affect the mother’s condition during pregnancy and result in the birth of a girl with Down syndrome.
- Mother’s age: The mother gives birth at an inappropriate age, so whether she is old or young, this may lead to the birth of a child with Down syndrome as a result of her not being qualified to carry and give birth. It is known that the best age for childbirth starts from 20 to 35 years.
Symptoms of Down syndrome
It is known that children with Down syndrome differ from other normal children, as they share certain characteristics and characteristics, the most important of which are the following:
- Flat face shape.
- White skin color.
- Wide, flat nose shape.
- The shape of the eyes is like an almond, tilted upward.
- Short neck.
- Short stature.
- Excess weight.
- The presence of a single line in the palm of the hand (palmar crease).
- Shortness of hands and limbs.
- Broad, prominent tongue.
- Small size of the mouth and nose.
- Suffering from high flexibility in the joints.
- Small ear size.
- The presence of noticeable spots inside the iris.
- The presence of cracks in the eyelids slanting upward.
- Head size smaller than normal.
- The presence of wrinkled skin protruding from the back of the neck.
- There is a noticeable gap between the first and second toes.
- Noticeably dry skin.
- Rapid appearance of aging symptoms.
- Slow response to stimuli.
If any of the above symptoms appear, book your consultation at Well-being center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital
What is the most dangerous type of Down syndrome?
Based on the above, we find that the most dangerous type of Down syndrome is the first type, which is known as Down syndrome with trisomy 21. It is also the most common type among children with this disease. Perhaps the reason behind its seriousness is that children who carry it are often born suffering from other health problems in the stomach, heart, intestines, and muscles. They also suffer from diseases and problems with vision and hearing, in addition to suffering from diabetes and glandular diseases, which requires them to be subjected to continuous health care and periodic follow-up.
Complications of Down syndrome
There are many complications that children with Down syndrome suffer from after infection, and these complications include the following:
- General weakness of immunity.
- Suffering from weight gain.
- Heart health problems.
- Respiratory health problems.
- Hearing health problems.
- Intestinal health problems.
- otitis
- Vision health problems.
- Vitamin D deficiency.
- Dental health problems.
- Delayed growth.
- The child's intelligence level is lower than normal.
- Language delay.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Suffering from nervous disorders.
- Absorption deficiency.
- Endocrine disorders.
Frequently asked questions
Are there degrees of Down syndrome?
Yes, there are degrees and types of Down syndrome, and they differ from each other in terms of severity, prevalence, and prevalence, and accordingly the diagnosis of each case differs from the other, but in general, Down syndrome with trisomy 21 is the most common and severe type, followed by Down syndrome with the chromosome translocation type, and Down syndrome with the mosaic type.
Is there mild Down syndrome?
The mildest type of Down syndrome is the type known as mosaic, and it is also the least common type, as it represents about 1% of the total number of people affected by this disease. Accordingly, its impact is milder on children who suffer from it compared to the other two types.
What is the IQ of Down Syndrome?
In fact, the IQ varies among children with Down Syndrome, but in general it is lower than the normal IQ. On average, it stops at 50. The Down Syndrome child often suffers from a delay in language and motor skills, a lack of attention, and an increased likelihood of developing autism, but to varying degrees that differ from one child to another.
What happens to Down syndrome?
In fact, until now there is no definitive treatment for patients with Down Syndrome of all types, but in general the symptoms can be controlled and the negative effects resulting from them can be controlled through training and continuous care, training in self-reliance as much as possible, and it should be noted that the ages of children with this disease have risen significantly compared to the past, to the point that they may reach 60 years.
In conclusion, we have mentioned the most dangerous types of Down Syndrome and the cause of contracting it, and the complications resulting from contracting this psychological disorder. We have also learned about the common types and the difference between them, in addition to clarifying the intelligence level of those who carry this disease and their fate. It should be noted that this disease has become very widespread in recent years as a result of the many causes that lead to it.
Medical references
Down Syndrome – webmd
What is Down syndrome – mayoclinic
