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Source-This post on Edwards syndrome and Down Syndrome has been created based on the article “Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome found in ancient individuals” published in “The Hindu” on 24th Feb 2024.
Why in the News?
Researchers have identified six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome, from prehistoric skeletal remains, dating up to approximately 5,500 years old.
Findings of the research:
a. These findings mark the first identification of Edwards syndrome from historic or prehistoric remains. Almost 10,000 genomes from ancient human skeletal remains from Ireland, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain or Finland were identified for chromosomal diseases.
b. These findings shed light on how past communities recognized these Syndromes, and treated such conditions.
About Edwards and Down Syndrome
| Edwards Syndrome | 1. About the Disease- It is also known as trisomy 18. It is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 18. It causes physical growth delays during fetal development. 2. Symptoms- Children diagnosed with trisomy 18 have a low birth weight and suffer from multiple birth defects. |
| Down syndrome | 1. About the Disease- It is also known as trisomy 21. It is a genetic condition where a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. They have a total of 47 chromosomes instead of 46 which affects the development of their brain and body. 2. Symptoms- It causes a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability, and developmental delays. However, the manifestation and severity of these symptoms can vary significantly from one individual to another. |
Read More- Down’s Syndrome
UPSC Syllabus- Science and Technology (Health and Diseases)
