ID :
51135
Wed, 03/18/2009 - 12:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/51135
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DOWN SYNDROME CHILD NEEDS SHOWER OF LOVE AND CARE (IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY ON MARCH 21)
ZULKIPLE IBRAHIM
KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- "Even though your son is a Down Syndrome boy, he can still have a normal life like that enjoyed by normal children".
Those were the words of a paediatrician to the parents of 18-month-old
Hafizi, a Down syndrome child at a public health institution here recently.
As a Down Syndrome child would be facing various medical problems, the
parents should be on alert against any sign and symptoms that may crop out, said
Dr C S Wong.
She said parents of Down Syndrome children usually would blame themselves
for the condition suffered by their offspring.
"Worse still they would feel remorseful and withdraw their presence from the
public, fearing the psychological implications on their child.
"However, interacting with other parents who also have Down Syndrome
children would relieve the mental agony and burden. This also educates the
parents on how to deal with problems that may surface", she said.
According to Dr Wong, there are several screenings and interventions that
are able to help alleviate problems faced by the Down Syndrome children.
WHAT IS DOWN SYNDROME?
According to the dictionary, syndrome means a group of symptoms, which
consistently occur together while Down Syndrome takes the name of Englishman, Dr
John Langdon Haydon Down who was best known for his description of this genetic
disorder in 1866.
Dr Wong said, Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of
an extra chromosome at chromosome number 21 in a child.
Usually a child receives 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and the other 23
from the father.
In Down Syndrome, the child would have an extra chromosome, which is
chromosome 21, making the total number of chromosomes 47 instead of 46.
"In Down Syndrome, there are three duplicates (trisomy) of chromosome 21
instead of two", said Dr Wong.
She said nobody knows the cause of this syndrome and there is no method to
prevent it from happening.
However scientists believe that the mother's age is a factor as a mother
aged 35 and above would have high risk conceiving a child with Down Syndrome.
She said for a 30-year-old mother, the chance of conceiving a Down Syndrome
child is one out of 900 and the risk becomes bigger at the age of 35, at one out
of 350.
For women aged 40 and above, the possibility is one in 100.
TRISOMY 21
This genetic disorder is also known as Trisomy 21. Children with this
condition exhibit recognized physical features and medical problems.
Dr Wong said a DNA test would confirm whether a child is a Down Syndrome
case or the otherwise.
The test could be done during pregnancy via the blood and ultrasounds or
analysis of the amniotic fluid.
SINGLE CREASE ON THE PALM
According to Dr Wong, physical features of a Down Syndrome child are
flattening of the back of the head, slanting of the eyelids, small skin folds at
the inner corner of the eyes, depressed nasal bridge, slightly smaller ears,
small mouth, decreased muscle tone, loose ligaments, and small hands and feet.
"Down Syndrome children have a single crease on their palm and their tongue
is usually protruding. Their fingers and toes are usually short and stubby.
"There is also a large gap between the big toe and second toe. These
children also suffer from delayed development, both physically and mentally",
she said.
OTHER PROBLEMS
As Down Syndrome children experience delayed physical and mental
development, they have difficulties in learning and speaking.
"They also have high risk for congenital cardiac anomalies as well as
intestinal atresia (constriction) as well as being prone to infections.
"Down Syndrome children are likely to have hearing and vision problems.
There are also thyroid-related problems and they are also prone to acute
leukemia", she said.
TREATMENT
Dr Wong advises parents to be sensitive to problems faced by their Down
syndrome children and take immediate measures for treatment of any health
quandaries.
"These children would benefit much from early intervention programme,
special education and speech therapy. Obtain the necessary information on the
rehabilitation programme on special children from a centre or hospital close to
your home", she said.
Doctors would also hold medical screenings for Down Syndrome children to
detect any congenital heart problems before referring the child for further
treatment which may need surgical or medical intervention.
On the hearing, vision and thyroid function impairment, Dr Wong said the
screening and treatment would depend on the condition.
"Even though Down Syndrome children may face numerous medical problems, they
can still have a normal life if the necessary measures and therapies are taken.
"The most important thing is the love and care from their parents and
siblings", she added.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- "Even though your son is a Down Syndrome boy, he can still have a normal life like that enjoyed by normal children".
Those were the words of a paediatrician to the parents of 18-month-old
Hafizi, a Down syndrome child at a public health institution here recently.
As a Down Syndrome child would be facing various medical problems, the
parents should be on alert against any sign and symptoms that may crop out, said
Dr C S Wong.
She said parents of Down Syndrome children usually would blame themselves
for the condition suffered by their offspring.
"Worse still they would feel remorseful and withdraw their presence from the
public, fearing the psychological implications on their child.
"However, interacting with other parents who also have Down Syndrome
children would relieve the mental agony and burden. This also educates the
parents on how to deal with problems that may surface", she said.
According to Dr Wong, there are several screenings and interventions that
are able to help alleviate problems faced by the Down Syndrome children.
WHAT IS DOWN SYNDROME?
According to the dictionary, syndrome means a group of symptoms, which
consistently occur together while Down Syndrome takes the name of Englishman, Dr
John Langdon Haydon Down who was best known for his description of this genetic
disorder in 1866.
Dr Wong said, Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of
an extra chromosome at chromosome number 21 in a child.
Usually a child receives 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and the other 23
from the father.
In Down Syndrome, the child would have an extra chromosome, which is
chromosome 21, making the total number of chromosomes 47 instead of 46.
"In Down Syndrome, there are three duplicates (trisomy) of chromosome 21
instead of two", said Dr Wong.
She said nobody knows the cause of this syndrome and there is no method to
prevent it from happening.
However scientists believe that the mother's age is a factor as a mother
aged 35 and above would have high risk conceiving a child with Down Syndrome.
She said for a 30-year-old mother, the chance of conceiving a Down Syndrome
child is one out of 900 and the risk becomes bigger at the age of 35, at one out
of 350.
For women aged 40 and above, the possibility is one in 100.
TRISOMY 21
This genetic disorder is also known as Trisomy 21. Children with this
condition exhibit recognized physical features and medical problems.
Dr Wong said a DNA test would confirm whether a child is a Down Syndrome
case or the otherwise.
The test could be done during pregnancy via the blood and ultrasounds or
analysis of the amniotic fluid.
SINGLE CREASE ON THE PALM
According to Dr Wong, physical features of a Down Syndrome child are
flattening of the back of the head, slanting of the eyelids, small skin folds at
the inner corner of the eyes, depressed nasal bridge, slightly smaller ears,
small mouth, decreased muscle tone, loose ligaments, and small hands and feet.
"Down Syndrome children have a single crease on their palm and their tongue
is usually protruding. Their fingers and toes are usually short and stubby.
"There is also a large gap between the big toe and second toe. These
children also suffer from delayed development, both physically and mentally",
she said.
OTHER PROBLEMS
As Down Syndrome children experience delayed physical and mental
development, they have difficulties in learning and speaking.
"They also have high risk for congenital cardiac anomalies as well as
intestinal atresia (constriction) as well as being prone to infections.
"Down Syndrome children are likely to have hearing and vision problems.
There are also thyroid-related problems and they are also prone to acute
leukemia", she said.
TREATMENT
Dr Wong advises parents to be sensitive to problems faced by their Down
syndrome children and take immediate measures for treatment of any health
quandaries.
"These children would benefit much from early intervention programme,
special education and speech therapy. Obtain the necessary information on the
rehabilitation programme on special children from a centre or hospital close to
your home", she said.
Doctors would also hold medical screenings for Down Syndrome children to
detect any congenital heart problems before referring the child for further
treatment which may need surgical or medical intervention.
On the hearing, vision and thyroid function impairment, Dr Wong said the
screening and treatment would depend on the condition.
"Even though Down Syndrome children may face numerous medical problems, they
can still have a normal life if the necessary measures and therapies are taken.
"The most important thing is the love and care from their parents and
siblings", she added.
-- BERNAMA
