Why Be Concerned About Down Syndrome

Although chromosomal abnormalities are fairly widespread, Down syndrome is the most common of this type of genetic condition. The incidence of Down syndrome is becoming more common. In fact, one in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome each year.

Research has proven that chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of 50% of all miscarriages. There are three causes for Down syndrome itself but the most common cause is called Trisomy 21. It gets its name because the person has three copies of the 21st chromosome rather than two copies of that particular chromosome. Trisomy is the presence of three copies of a certain chromosome rather than the usual two copies. It is believed that 25% of miscarriages are caused by a trisomy of some kind.

In the United States alone, there are about 350,000 families that are affected in some way by Down syndrome. There are approximately 5,000 babies with Down syndrome born every year. Down syndrome can affect anyone at anytime. No one is particularly exempt from the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome. Women who are older than 35 years of age do have an increased risk of having a child with Down syndrome -actually, it is a one in 400 chance – due to the increased age of her eggs. This occurs because women do not make new eggs each month but in actuality are born with the number of eggs in each ovary that they will ever have. By the time the woman is 40 years of age her chances of having a baby with Down syndrome increases to one in 110 and by the age of 45 years, it increases to one in 35. Since the trend today is for more and more women to wait longer to start their families there is becoming a greater incidence of woman who are getting pregnant with Down syndrome infants.

The fact that more women are waiting to get pregnant and more women are finding out that they are carrying infants with Down syndrome, leads to an increase in pregnancy terminations. Research shows that 90% of Down syndrome pregnancies are terminated.

As there is more research on the 21st chromosome and the genetics of Down syndrome it is hopeful that a treatment and/or cure could be on the horizon. Scientists also believe that it will be possible to improve, correct, or prevent many of the health issues that accompany Down syndrome. With the increase in terminations of Down syndrome pregnancies, there will obviously be a decrease in the number of Down syndrome babies born. As the population of Down syndrome people gradually decreases, funding for research will decrease, the need for research will decrease, and eventually the possibility for treatments or a cure will not be so close.

The National Down Syndrome Society is a big supporter and sponsor for research. Since 1983, the NDSS has provided nearly $3 million dollars in research support by directly funding more than 40 scientists and sponsoring over twelve research conferences.

Recommended Reading

1. Causes Risk Factors Treatments And Prevention Of Down Syndrome - The cause of Down syndrome is one of three types of abnormal cell division concerning the 21st chromosome. These abnormalities...
2. The Genetics Behind Down Syndrome - Down syndrome is chromosomal abnormality and genetic disease that is caused by three major factors. These include genetics, chromosome formation,...
3. Down Syndrome What Is It - A French physician Jerome Lejeune discovered in 1959 that people who have the characteristics of Down Syndrome as described by...
4. Answers To Your Questions About Down Syndrome - Down Syndrome is three dimensional it has a physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Each case can be a wide range...
5. Health Problems And Down Syndrome - The extra chromosome causes health issues in the individual with Down Syndrome. A baby with Down Syndrome will develop slower...