Module 1 Part 5: Disorders Associated With Infants at Birth
Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. This condition leads to developmental and intellectual delays and various physical characteristics and health issues.
Key Characteristics
Physical Features: Common physical features include a flat facial profile, upward slanting eyes, a single deep crease across the palm, and a protruding tongue.
Cognitive and Developmental Delays: Individuals with Down syndrome typically experience mild to moderate intellectual disability and developmental delays.
Health Issues: They are at an increased risk for various health problems, including congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing issues, Alzheimer's disease, and thyroid conditions.
Down syndrome is usually caused by nondisjunction, an error in cell division that results in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. This can occur in either the sperm or the egg.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) refer to a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical, behavioral, and learning problems.
Key Characteristics
Physical Abnormalities: These may include distinct facial features such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip, small head size, shorter-than-average height, and low body weight.
Cognitive and Behavioral Issues: Individuals may experience poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty with attention, poor memory, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, and intellectual disability.
Developmental Delays: These include difficulties in school, trouble understanding concepts like time and money, poor judgment, and problems with social relationships.
FASD is caused by alcohol exposure in the womb. Alcohol crosses the placenta and can interfere with the development of the fetal brain and other critical organs and systems. The severity of FASD varies depending on the timing and amount of alcohol exposure.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) occurs when a baby is exposed to drugs in the womb before birth and then goes through drug withdrawal after birth. It is often associated with opioid use during pregnancy.
Effects associated with NAS include tremors, irritability, and high-pitched crying, sleep problems, feeding difficulties, and seizures in severe cases