Hawaii is on the Pacific Plate. If the Pacific Plate moves at a steady rate, how many total kilometers has Kauai moved from the spot where Hawaii now exists?

1. First, we need to find the average rate of travel of Kauai from the hotspot, presuming it started at the spot where Hawaii now lies. This helps establish the overall rate of movement to compare among the individual islands.

2. How old is Kauai?

3. Find your average rate of plate movement in kilometers per year. To do this, divide the total kilometers moved by the number of years.

Mrs. V, a healthy 45-year-old woman, gives birth to a child. There are no outward complications associated with the birth but, when examined by the pediatrician, the child exhibits abnormal facies, a single palmar crease, hypotonic muscles, and loose pelvic joints. Following chromosomal analysis, a diagnosis of Down syndrome is made.

Discuss the cause of Down syndrome. (See Chromosomal Disorders—Trisomy 21.)

What risks factors exist in the family history? Why are these thought to be risk factors? (See Down Syndrome.)

Discuss further characteristics that the child may show as he gets older.