Down syndrome is a congenital anomaly that entails an extra copy of chromosome 21. It is the most common congenital anomalies and approximately affects one in 600 live births. There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States. Trisomy 21 has been one condition that all health agencies are focusing on because they are more prone to other diseases like Alzheimer's and malignancies.
There had been instances where children's health is compromised due to exposure to several risk factors that may contribute in the alteration of their health equilibrium. These circumstances are often rendered as stress inducing factors that affects the child's physical, emotional, social and psychological well-being.
Often times, it is very critical to consider factors that may indicate stress in children under hospitalization and these needs to be incorporated in the interventions of the nurse in order to fully achieve the optimal health which will bring back to child to his pre-illness state. Health is a vital factor in ensuring a child's well-being.
During times when they go beyond the normal part of their health and become compromised, they are not capable of efficient coping mechanisms thus leading to stress to them. Moreover, children are always faced with health problems throughout their childhood and they are the ones who have differing needs that is why the care rendered to them should be individualized. In the early stages of development of a fetus in the womb of the mother, several processes undertake. Most of these are for synthesis of the genetic makeup of the fetus.
However, there are factors that may contribute in the alteration of the synthesis of genes and may lead to chromosomal aberration. In the long run, the fetus may suffer from a congenital defect or illness due to these alterations. Alterations in the genetic code create an anomaly in the development of the zygote especially in the first month of his life. It may affect only a small portion of the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) which is called point mutation or a group of parts which is termed gross mutation.
Chromosomal abnormalities are described as a condition where there is an abnormal number of chromosomes in the human body that creates physical and structural deformities that might be fatal to the fetus after birth.
Down syndrome is an anomaly which entails an extra copy of chromosome 21 that is why it is termed Trisomy 21. The normal number of chromosomes is 23 pairs. In this condition, it can be detected immediately after birth even without newborn screening due to its distinct characteristics that can be seen in the face and hands of the baby. It is also associated with delayed cognitive ability and physical growth.
In the United States, it affects between 1 in 600 and 1 in 1000 live births. People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.
Agencies like the National Down Syndrome Society are working hand in hand with the World Health Organization to combat the complications of Down syndrome. They move towards the establishment of special centers to help these children as well as proper therapeutic treatments to prevent complications and for them to be accepted in the society.
