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Down syndrome
AKA Trisomy 21

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Down Syndrome is happens when a person is born with 3 number 21 chromosomes than the usual two. The chromosomes are copies of each other that are located in all the cells. There is an abnormality that occurs when the egg and sperm cell come together.

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There are two types of prenatal tests: screening tests and diagnostic tests.

The screening tests are done when the mother is 10 weeks pregnant. Her blood is extracted for testing. It will take a week for results to come
in. She is also given an ultrasound test.

The diagnostic tests are done by taking tissue or cells from the mother. The first test is done in the first trimester. It is called the Chorionic Villus Sampling, a type of placental tissue and is done 10-14 weeks gestation period. It can be done through the cervix or the abdomen. In the second trimester (around 14-20 weeks), aminocentesis is the second test that is done. It is done by inserting a needle through the abdomen in order to collect some fluid from the sac where the baby is held. At the same time, an ultrasound is being done to ensure that the process is going well. This type of testing is done for mothers who are at risk of having babies with chromosomes abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

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Down syndrome affects all populations, anyone can be affected. The risk of giving birth to a baby with down syndrome increases as the birthing parents ages. Women/Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) who are 35 or older are likelier to give birth to a child diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
“Genetic Disorders: What Are They, Types, Symptoms & Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21751-genetic-disorders.

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There aren’t any cures for Down Syndrome, but there are treatments available so that people can reach their full potential: Physical or Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Participating in special education programs in school, treating any underlying illnesses, wearing glasses for vision problems or assisted hearing devices for hearing loss.
“Genetic Disorders: What Are They, Types, Symptoms & Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21751-genetic-disorders.

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People with down syndrome can often live happy and healthy lives with supportive care. Their life expectancy is 60 or older. Like most people, they may need support and care throughout their life.
“Genetic Disorders: What Are They, Types, Symptoms & Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21751-genetic-disorders.

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Some support groups are The National Down Syndrome Society and National Association for Down Syndrome.
“Genetic Disorders: What Are They, Types, Symptoms & Causes.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21751-genetic-disorders.

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Down Syndrome is diagnosed either with the screening test or the diagnostic test (which is more accurate). The tests are able to give us a health status of both the baby and the mother.

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In the majority of Down Syndrome cases, the disorder is a result of mutation. The mutation is a disjunction of trisomy 21. This means that The chromosome was copied 3 times instead of the usual two.

In the cases where Down Syndrome is inherited, it usually happens when the mother or father carry the recessive gene and pass it on to their offspring. The parents may not have the disorder but their offspring most likely will.

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Recent research shows that COVID-19 is 10 times deadlier to people with Down syndrome. According to an article by Meredith Wadman, "Researchers suspect background immune abnormalities, combined with extra copies of key genes in people with DS... make them more vulnerable to severe COVID-19."
"They have three copies of a gene on chromosome 21, TMPRSS2, which codes for an enzyme that the virus hijacks to help it enter human cells."
Wadman, Meredith. “Covid-19 Is 10 Times Deadlier for People with down Syndrome, Raising Calls for Early Vaccination.” Science, https://www.science.org/content/article/covid-19-10-times-deadlier-people-down-syndrome-raising-calls-early-vaccination.

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There a physical and development symptoms when it comes to Down Syndrome. Some of the main physical symptoms of Down Syndrome include a flattened face, upward slanting eyes, a short neck, short height, and small or unusually shaped ears. Some of the developmental symptoms include learning disability, speech delay, difficulty thinking, and understanding.