Edward’s Syndrome or also known as Trisomy 18 is a very serious and uncommon disorder, and there are three types of this disorder: Full, Partial, and Mosaic Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal condition that affects not only one part of the body, but usually many different limbs. Five to ten percent of the individuals with this disorder can live their lives with it, but they have to deal with severe disabilities. Since Edward’s Syndrome is not common, there are only a few solutions for the disease (Weiss 2012).
The symptoms of Trisomy 18 vary from person to person, but they are all cause a physical defect or disability. Abnormally small sized heads, small mouths and jaws, and clenched fists with their fingers overlapping are some of the most common symptoms seen with this disorder. Some symptoms of Edwards Syndrome can be seen or caught before a baby is born, others are not noticed until after development of the newborn baby has started (Trisomy 18, 2014). Along with the common symptoms above, individuals with Edward’s Syndrome can also develop heart problems, lung problems, and kidney problems, as well as some problems with their muscle development. There are also less severe defects to their bodies, as in facial characteristics being too small for their faces or heads. Trisomy 18 is a disorder that does not have a set treatment for the overall disease, but they can get physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The type of therapy that an individual receives is based on their own case, and depends on the type of treatment they want to have for their condition. If movement is affected then they might need to be fed through a feeding tube, in order to maintain a somewhat healthy life. Most of the time individuals with trisomy 18 don’t survive after a month after birth because of the problems with their organs that will usually lead to organ system