Problem
Case Study
Mrs. Smith is a healthy 47-year-old woman who has just given birth to a child. There are no outward complications associated with the birth but, when examined by the pediatrician, the child exhibits abnormal facies, a single palmar crease, hypotonic muscles, and loose pelvic joints. Following chromosomal analysis, a diagnosis of Down syndrome is made.
Task
A. Discuss the cause of Down syndrome. Be thorough in your response.
B. What risks factors exist in the family history? Discuss why each of these are thought to be risk factors? Be thorough in your response.
C. Discuss further characteristics that the child may show as he gets older. Be thorough in your response.