What are the maternal age risks for Down syndrome?
The mother’s age at delivery is the only factor found to be linked to the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. This risk increases with every year, especially after the mother is 35 years old. However, because younger women are more likely to have babies than older women, 80 percent of babies with Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all pregnant women, regardless of age, be offered screening for Down syndrome.
