Download albinism and life

MORE ABOUT ALBINISM
FUN FACTS:
Albino squirrel
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Majority of Caucasians with albinism have pale
blond hair, pink skin, and blue eyes while
majority of American Americans tend to have
brighter yellow hair, cream colored skin, and
green or hazel eyes.
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Many people with albinism have a visual range of
20/70 to 20/200.
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Hearing problems may result but are very rare.
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Some children with albinism may develop
slightly delayed (2-3 months).
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Some zoo animals with albinism are known to
apply sunblock.
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Albino animals have a higher risk of skin cancer.
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White tigers and lions are mistaken as albinos
but in fact, they have different condition called
Leucism.
Albinism
Know your body
WEBSITES TO VISIT
The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation:
http://www.albinism.org/
National Organizations for Rare Disorders:
http://www.rarediseases.org
Other websites with factual information:
http://www.warts.org/library/albinism-facts.htm
http://www.disabledworld.com/disability/types/vision/albinism.php
Steinman A2
Hyunji Shim
Albinism is just as severe as any other disease.
Know your body.
Albinism
occurs when…there is a defect in
the melanin production causing the loss of pigment in the
iris of the eye, hair, and skin.
ALBINISM AND LIFE
ALBINISM AND THE BODY
There are several type of Albinism, however, two
main types are:
1. Albinism resulted by the defect of
pigment.
2. Albinism resulted by the defect of the “P”
gene.
Other types of Albinism:
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•
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Ocular Albinism Type 1 (Shortened as
OA1): There is no loss of pigment in skin
color or the eye colors. This type of
Albinism is known to only affect the eyes'
retina by resulting with loss of color.
Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (Shortened
as HPS): Cause by a single gene, this type
of Albinism can occur as a bleeding
disorder and may develop into bowel and
lung disease.
Oculocutaneous Albinism: As the most
severe form, one may result with pink or
white hair, iris, and skin. In addition, vision
problems may also result.
Albinism is caused by several mutations on
chromosomes. Almost all chromosomes take part
except for chromosomes 7, 8, 18, 20, 21, and Y.
TREATMENT
SYMPTOMS
A patient affected by this disorder will have at
least one symptom of the following: lighter
pigments, patches of missing skin color, or loss
of color in the hair, skin, or iris.
Other symptoms include:
Osular Albinism
- Photophobia
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Rapid Eye Movements
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Crossed eyed
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Vision problems
There is no exact treatment for
Albinism. The best actions one can
apply to prevent further harm are:
- Reduce sunburn risk by using
sunscreen.
- When in the sun, cover
yourself with clothing as
much as possible.
- Highly recommended to
apply sunscreen with high
sun protection factor (SPF).
- UV protected sunglasses.
- Eye muscle surgery
The best way to diagnose Albinism
is genetic testing- especially if there
is a family history of Albinism.
Albinism is a recessive genetic
disorder- meaning both parents
must be a carrier of the defective
chromosomes for the child to be
affected. Carrier parents have a
25% chance of an affected child.
ALBINISM AND DAILY LIFE
Albinism does not decrease one’s
lifespan. However, HermanskyPudlak Syndrome can due to the
outcome of a bleeding disorder or
lung disease. An average patient
diagnosed with Albinism will have
vision problems (which could lead
to blindness) and will have to limit
activities in the sun.
Later, if the disease worsens, skin
discomfort may lead to skin cancer.
Therefore, it is best to schedule an
appointment with a doctor as soon
as the patient feels discomfort.