Down Syndrome Screening Available
Having a baby is an exciting time, whether it's your first or your fifth. It is only natural to feel optimistic and assume everything will be fine. However, if you are over 35, if you smoked while taking oral contraceptives or if Down syndrome runs in your family, then you may want to opt for Down syndrome screening so you know what to expect. Down syndrome is the most common genetic birth defect, affecting 1 in 800 babies.
It is important to remember during your Down syndrome screening blood test and your Down syndrome ultrasound that these results are only about 80% accurate and many healthy babies have been born to mothers who received adverse readings. The decision is really up to you to make. When given the news in the first trimester, some parents opt for abortion. Other times, the parents just need a little time to mentally prepare themselves for the road ahead. The Down syndrome facts are that many individuals are able to live independently now, thanks to improvements in early education, and most adults with Down syndrome live well into their 50s. There are many programs and resources available to help you care for your new baby, regardless.
The second type of Down syndrome diagnostic tests are about 99% accurate in detecting signs of this chromosomal disorder. However, these procedures are more invasive and sometimes result in a miscarriage or other complications. Typically, doctors only perform these tests on women over 35, if genealogy warrants it or if they've tested positive in the initial screening. Amniocentesis, performed from 16 to 20 weeks, uses a needle to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid from the womb. While it's an out-patient treatment, women may experience cramping, bleeding and infection, not to mention that 2-3% of patients lose their baby. As a result, amniocentesis is not recommended before the 14th week of gestation. Chorionic villus sampling and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling are other alternatives.
A first-trimester Down syndrome screening is considered a fairly reliable measure of pinpointing the genetic disorder around the 11th week. A recent study of 38,000 women found that 87% of the Down syndrome babies were identified at the earlier screening, with a 5% false positive rate. These tests can offer early relief for parents of healthy babies or can give extra time for the mother to decide if she wants the more invasive procedures down the road.
Related topics about down syndrome screening
people with down syndrome
All people with Down syndrome can't be expected to be math wizards or complete high school social studies exams. However, early integration for Down syndrome children is extremely important in helping them achieve successes and set realistic goals. Being exposed to many different subjects and hobbies is also important, as Down syndrome research suggests, since many are prodigies in art or music.
what causes down syndrome
Most mothers don't worry about what causes Down syndrome unless they are over 35, which is said to be the risk factor age. Down syndrome, a major cause of mental retardation, occurs in 1 out of every 800 births (5,000/year) and is the most common genetic condition. After many years of scientific research, what causes this syndrome can only be traced to one clear link: maternal and paternal age.
children with down syndrome
Parents of children with Down syndrome are flooded with a barrage of emotions. They may experience disappointment, anger, grief, frustration, fear and anxiety. Mothers over the age 35, who have a higher chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, may experience guilt or self-blame.