Although first case of Down syndrome was reported in early...

Although first case of Down syndrome was reported in early 1866 by John Langdon Down but by looking at the paintings dated () and skeleton study, it won’t be incorrect to say that down syndrome might be there for as long as chromosome 21 exists. In earlier times people with down syndrome were referred to as mongoloids because they shared facial similarities with Blumenbach’s Mongolian race. The term mongoloid was used until early 1970s. It is now considered unacceptable and is no longer in use. Down syndrome also known as trisomy 21 is the most common form of chromosomal abnormality and is a major cause of mental retardation afflicting 1 in 700 liveborn infants. Besides mental retardation, it is also responsible for major congenital†¦show more content†¦Errors occur more frequently during meiosis 1 (75%) than during meiosis 11 (25%). Research has shown effect of maternal age on bearing a child with down syndrome. Risk of down syndrome can be evaluated by screening for presence of serum alpha – feto protein (AFP) during second trimester of pregnancy. Decreased levels of AFP indicates the presence of Down syndrome. Alpha feto-protein (AFP) is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during the fetal period. Research was done where level of AFP was estimated in fetuses with and without down syndrome. Two different sources were used to obtain fetal blood samples. First, was through Cordoscentesis where blood samples were obtained through umbilical cord from 18-28 weeks. In the other postmortem samples were obtained after termination of Pregnancy or spontaneous abortion. Fetuses were divided into three groups normal, chromosomally normal but developmentally abnormal and one with down syndrome. Before 20 weeks, the serum AFP level of fetuses with and without down syndrome was same. However, after 20 weeks fetuses with down syndrome showed marked decrease in serum AFP level. Interestingly another research was done which reported a male fetus with undetectable level of serum-AFP level during second trimester but had normal growth and development with no symptom of down syndrome.Show MoreRelatedDown Syndrome3938 Words   |  16 Pages Having a Down syndrome is such a difficult situation for an individual to have. They have slow physical and mental capabilities that lead them to discrimination. Physical features of having a Down syndrome. Including flattening of the head; slanting of the eyelids; a gap between the first and the second toes; a depressed nasal bridge; relatively small ears, mouth, hands and feet; short stature; decreased muscle tone and loose ligaments among others. Not every child with Down syndrome has all of