Edwards syndrome also known as Trisomy 18 occurs in about 1 out of every 2500 pregnancies in the United States alone. This genetic diseases causes severe development delays due to an extra chromosome. Down syndrome is also caused because of an extra chromosome, however the difference between these two is that Edwards syndrome deals with more medical complications and has a higher risk factor on the early months and years of life. It usually occurs during the sperm and egg formation. The disease is rarely inherited and the parents are not at fault for their child obtaining the disease. However, saying that the older the mother is the baby is more likely to obtain the disease.
Why is it also called "Trisomy 18"? How is Edwards syndrome diagnosed? And finally, How is the screening completed? Well in a regular situation the mom and dad both give 23 chromosomes each and during fertilization the sperm and egg fuse and separate. However if the separation does not occur properly a cell starts replicating itself and when the baby is formed it has an extra copy of chromosome 18. The diagnoses goes as follows a sample of bodies DNA is …show more content…
Symptoms include: low birth weight, small abnormally shaped head, clenched hands, mental delays, crossed legs, as well as feeding and breathing difficulties. This is the case for Donnie Heaton who on September 10th 2013 celebrated his 21st birthday. The difference between him and any other 21 year old is that he only weighs 55 pounds. Donnie's mother was 42 years old when she gave birth to him. "He lived through a C. difficile infections. He has fevers, heart and bowel problems, and urinary tract infections, and he breaks his fragile bones. He doesn’t walk or talk. He weighs 55 pounds and, he won't get bigger. But he keeps on going."(Donnie's mom). She loves Donnie for who he is and in her words "There's a light inside those eyes, I can see it. Donnie amazes me"(Donnie's
Why is it also called "Trisomy 18"? How is Edwards syndrome diagnosed? And finally, How is the screening completed? Well in a regular situation the mom and dad both give 23 chromosomes each and during fertilization the sperm and egg fuse and separate. However if the separation does not occur properly a cell starts replicating itself and when the baby is formed it has an extra copy of chromosome 18. The diagnoses goes as follows a sample of bodies DNA is …show more content…
Symptoms include: low birth weight, small abnormally shaped head, clenched hands, mental delays, crossed legs, as well as feeding and breathing difficulties. This is the case for Donnie Heaton who on September 10th 2013 celebrated his 21st birthday. The difference between him and any other 21 year old is that he only weighs 55 pounds. Donnie's mother was 42 years old when she gave birth to him. "He lived through a C. difficile infections. He has fevers, heart and bowel problems, and urinary tract infections, and he breaks his fragile bones. He doesn’t walk or talk. He weighs 55 pounds and, he won't get bigger. But he keeps on going."(Donnie's mom). She loves Donnie for who he is and in her words "There's a light inside those eyes, I can see it. Donnie amazes me"(Donnie's