The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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Chromosomal abnormalities that cause birth defects including Down syndrome.
Chromosomes in the human body generally come in pairs. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. When an extra chromosome is present in one of the pairs (resulting in three instead of two), the abnormality is labeled trisomy. Scientists have numbered the 23 pairs of human chromosome, and the trisomy abnormality may occur in several different chromosomes. For example, when the trisomy abnormality occurs in chromosome 21, the result is Down syndrome. Babies born with Down syndrome usually survive into adulthood.
Other chromosomal abnormalities are trisomy 13, Patau's syndrome, and trisomy 18, Edward's syndrome. Both are relatively rare but serious conditions that cause severe mental retardation and physical deformities. Babies born with either of these trisomies usually do not survive beyond their first year.
Support Organization for Trisomyl3/18 (SOFT)
Address: 5030 Cole
Pocatello, ID 93202
(Organization for families of children with trisomy 13 or 18. Publishes a newsletter, SOFT Touch, and a book, Trisomy 18: Book for Families.)