How do,
I've just seen a report on the news about Downs Syndrome which got me thinking... what actually *is* Downs Syndrome? It's something I've always wondered but never really looked into.
One thing that always intrigues me (and I hope I don't offend anyone saying this) but how can you always tell someone has it by looking at them? There is a distinctive look, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is that makes someone with DS look different.
Hopefully someone can enlighten me and we can all learn loads of stuff we didn't know before, resulting in a greater amount of tolerance blah blah blah. Let's not all resort to saying James Martin has it, it's way too obvious a joke.
Downs Syndrome
Down's Syndrome is a genetic disorder resulting from an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. It has a number of effects on the person, including reduced cognitive ability - although most Down's sufferers are able to read and write with moderate ability and understand basic maths - and a distinctive physical appearance, particularly facially; Down's Syndrome was long referred to as 'mongolism' as the facial appearance of Down's sufferers was thought to be very similar to the Mongoloid race.
Unusually, Down's syndrome actually results in a genetic resistence to some cancers, although leukemia is very common for a Down's sufferer. Additionally, while a male Down's sufferer will almost certainly become infertile, a female with Down's syndrome will likely have few complications through childbirth, although the chances of passing Down's onto her children is high. Down's births are most common in women over the age of 40; I believe the risk of a Down's birth in a woman aged over 40 years is something like 1 in every 100 births (compared to around 1/1500 for a 25 year old mother).
I hope that's helped.
Unusually, Down's syndrome actually results in a genetic resistence to some cancers, although leukemia is very common for a Down's sufferer. Additionally, while a male Down's sufferer will almost certainly become infertile, a female with Down's syndrome will likely have few complications through childbirth, although the chances of passing Down's onto her children is high. Down's births are most common in women over the age of 40; I believe the risk of a Down's birth in a woman aged over 40 years is something like 1 in every 100 births (compared to around 1/1500 for a 25 year old mother).
I hope that's helped.
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Dr Lobster*
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all new Phil wrote:One thing that always intrigues me (and I hope I don't offend anyone saying this) but how can you always tell someone has it by looking at them? There is a distinctive look, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is that makes someone with DS look different.
from wikipedia:
[downs syndrome] was originally called mongolism or mongolian idiocy, after a perceived resemblance observed by Down between the faces of some of his patients with Down syndrome and the Mongoloid race. This usage is now viewed by medical professionals as offensive and medically meaningless, and is not commonly used today.
this is a picture of a mongoloid, although i believe this particular one also has down's syndrome
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Nick Harvey
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Ahem!Jamez wrote:Only Phil, Sput and myself are the only people on here that don't get strange looks on the street.
A dear little ninety-three year old lady stopped me in the street the other day, when I was Christmas shopping, and invited me back to her place for a chew on her turkey leg!
yes james, you're so good looking james :roll:Jamez wrote:Christ, are they any good looking geeks?
Only Phil, Sput and myself are the only people on here that don't get strange looks on the street.
Does anyone still have that dodgy photoshop picture CraigF posted on his website?