Essay
UNIT 4 - P2
- Institution
- OCR
health and social care COMPLETE ESSAY
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Sheona ThomasP2 – explain the potential effects of five different life factors on the development of
an individual
Genetic factors are chromosomes that carry genes which are inherited by a child
from both parents, the different chromosomes cause there to be changes in the DNA
which are known as mutations. Therefore diseases and health conditions can be
passed on through generations.
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, is a genetic condition that typically causes some level of learning
disability and characteristic physical features. “Around 775 babies are born with the
condition each year in England and Wales.”1 The cause is due to having the presence
of an extra copy of chromosome 21 in a baby's cells. In most cases, this is not
inherited from the baby’s parents, it is simply the result of a one-off genetic mistake
in the sperm or egg. In every pregnancy there is a very small chance of having a child
with Down's syndrome, but there is an increases in chances which are related to the
age of the mother, but no evidence to show the mothers actions are to blame.
The physical effects of having downs syndrome are present in all stages of their lives.
Downs syndrome babies are likely to have reduced muscle tone leading to floppiness
which is known as hypotonia, this would affect them as they would be unable to do
many activities, they may also have eyes that slant upwards and outwards. It is likely
for the individual to have a small mouth with a protruding tongue and flat back of
the head. It is commonly known for them to be below-average weight and length at
birth. Although children with Down's syndrome share many common physical
characteristics, they do not all look the same. A child with Down's syndrome is very
likely to look more like their father, mother or other family members rather
than other children with the syndrome. However, with this condition there are many
health conditions which are associated such as hearing and vision problems, heart
disorders, such as congenital heart disease, thyroid problems, such as an underactive
thyroid gland which is called hypothyroidism and recurrent infections, such
as pneumonia. Therefore the individual with downs syndrome is affected majorly.
1 http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/downs-syndrome/pages/introduction.aspx
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