The Causes and Effects of Down SyndromeSome people wonder what Down syndrome is. How it is caused and how it is treated. The causes and effects of Down syndrome occur when there is an extra 21st chromosome. Effects include certain birth defects and health problems. The physical characteristics are different from those of a person without Down syndrome. What is Down syndrome? It is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in the creation of an extra 21st chromosome (Crosta). Down syndrome causes physical growth problems that vary depending on the severity of the situation. This disease can develop before or after the birth of a child. Fewer than 1,000 pregnancies in mothers under 30 result in a baby with Down syndrome. For mothers aged 44, approximately 1 in 35 pregnancies results in a baby with Down syndrome (Crosta). The only way to have a child with Down syndrome is determined by the age of the mother. 75 to 80% of babies with Down syndrome are born to younger mothers. It is believed that a younger woman generally has more children than an older woman (Crosta). What causes Down syndrome? Robertsonian translocation occurs when part of chromosome 21 breaks off during cell division and attaches to another chromosome (usually chromosome 14) (Crosta). There are 46 chromosomes in the body. 23 come from the mother and 23 come from the father. When there is another copy or half copy of chromosome 21, you will have a child with Down syndrome. The most common type of Down syndrome is Trisomy 21. This is where the body has 47 chromosomes instead of 46 (Crosta). Down syndrome is caused by a cell division problem called nondisjunction; it leaves behind a sperm or egg with an extra copy of chromosome 21. 95% of Down syndrome...... middle of paper ......hromosome. Most pregnancies to mothers 40 or older have a higher risk of having a child with Down syndrome. The older the mother, the more likely her baby will be diagnosed with Down syndrome. The effects of Down syndrome are ear infections, leukemia at an early age, physical characteristics different from those of a person without the condition, and birth defects. There are things to help a person cope with the illness by undergoing therapy and learning things to improve their physical abilities. Works Cited Crosta, Peter. “What is Down syndrome?” 2004-2014. Internet. April 30, 2014. “Down Syndrome.” 2012. Internet. April 30, 2014. “Facts About Down Syndrome.” November 6, 2013. The web. May 5. 2014. Kingsley, Jason. “Count on us.” Orlando, FL: Harcourt + Brace & Company, 1994. Print.Laney, Dawn. “Down syndrome”. Farmington City, MI: Greenhouse Press, 2003. Print.