Most Severe Genetic Disorders
Introduction:
A
genetic disorder is due to changes in the human genome or DNA( DNA
is a molecule present in human cell which stores information of
structure and functions of whole body) DNA is made up of multiple
genes. Mutation can be in one gene called as monogenic disorder, or
can be in multiple genes called as multifactorial inheritance
disorder, or due to gene mutations combined with environmental
factors , or changes in whole chromosomes due to damage to it.
Types
of genetic disorders:
Monogenetic
disorders:
This
disorder is caused by a change or mutations in one or two genes. It
is again divided in to ''dominant'' and ''recessive''. Example of
monogenetic disorders are sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis,
poly-cystic kidney disease. Dominant disease is due to presence of
disease gene on one of the two inherited parental chromosomes, so
there is 50 percent of chances that the child inherit disease.
Example of dominant diseases are huntington's disease .If inherited
parental chromosomes both have disease gene so their will be 25
percent chance of child inherit the disease. Example of recessive
disease include cystic fibrosis.
Multi-factorial
inheritance disorders:
This
type of genetic disorders are caused when there is more than one gene
involved in the alterations of acting together with environmental
factors. The most common multifactorial disorder is type2 diabetes
caused in combination of disorder plus environmental factor obesity.
Chromosomal
disorder:
This
disorders are caused by the deficiency of the genes or structural
changes in the chromosomes. Examples of chromosomal disorders are
down syndrome, prader-willi syndrome. Chromosomal abnormalities can
be numerical abnormalities, when chromosome is missing known as
monosomy or has more than two chromosomes known as trisomy as seen in
down syndrome, who has three copies of chromosome 21 rather than two
copies. Structural abnormalities are other type which can be
deletions ,duplication's,trans-locations,inversions rings.
Genetic
disorders In humans:
Achondroplasia:
It
is a bone growth disorder with disproportionate short stature. It
occurs due to alterations in gene FGFR3. It is inherited from parent
who has achondroplasia, but most of the cases are not inherited, if
inherited it will be as autosomal dominant type. Symptoms include
short height (average height of achondroplasia adult is 4 feet 4
inches), short arms and legs, short fingers, a large head with
prominent forehead, weak muscle, breathing problems.
Down
syndrome:
Down
syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with
intellectual disability, people with down syndrome has a
characteristic facial appearance and low muscle tone in infancy.
People with down syndrome may born with a variety of health concerns
including heart defects and digestive defects. They also have
increased risk of developing celiac disease and vision problems. Down
syndrome is caused by having three copies of chromosome 21 which
normally has to be two copies. Most of the cases of down syndrome is
not inherited, but results because of some abnormalities during the
reproductive cell formation.
Thalassemia:
Thalassemia
is a inherited blood disorder that occurs when the body does not make
enough hemoglobin as a result the RBC doesn't function properly and
which leads to decreased oxygen supply to the cells. There are two
main types of thalassemia, alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia.
People with thalassemia suffer from anaemia. Other symptoms include
bone deformities in the face, growth failure, shortness of breath and
yellow skin. It is inherited from diseased parents to children.
Disease severity varies from mild to severe. In severe disease
conditions bone marrow transplantation's and regular blood
transfusions are done. In moderate disease conditions blood
transfusion is made once in a while.
Hemophilia:
Hemophilia
is a bleeding disorder that slows blood clotting process. Symptoms of
this disease include prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery.
Their are two types of hemophilia, hemophilia A and hemophilia B,
acquired hemophilia. Both Hemophilia A and B have similar signs and
symptoms but differentiated with mutations in different genes,
Acquired hemophilia is not inherited. Hemophilia A is due to
deficiency of Blood clotting factor VIII , Hemophilia B is due to
deficiency of blood clotting factor IX
Duchenne:
Duchenne
is a rapidly progressive form of muscular dystrophy (degeneration of
muscle) primarily effects skeletal muscle. On set of disease is seen
in early childhood and worsens with age. It effects mainly boys. It
is caused by mutation in gene called DMD gene. Patients with duchenne
lack the dystrophin protein in the muscle. Their is a progressive
loss of muscle function. It is inherited as X linked recessive
fashion. This disease is inherited from parents to children. It is
the most degenerative disorder which effects patient's life span.
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