Who has the highest risk of having a child with Down syndrome?
Down syndrome affects people of all races and economic levels. Women age 35 and older have a significantly increased risk of having a child with Down syndrome. A 35-year-old woman has a one in 400 chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome and this chance increases gradually to one in 110 by age 40. At age 45 the incidence becomes approximately one in 35. Since many couples are postponing parenting until later in life, the incidence of Down syndrome conceptions is expected to increase. Therefore, genetic counseling for parents is becoming increasingly important. Still, many physicians are not fully informed about advising their patients about the incidence of Down syndrome, advancements in diagnosis and the protocols for care and treatment of babies born with Down syndrome. Why are medical researchers following Down syndrome work so closely? Down syndrome is a developmental disorder. As researchers learn more about the molecular genetics and other aspects of Down syndrome, they al
