Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that appears at birth. It is generally a combination of mental retardation with some physical deformities of the face. Many individuals with Down Syndrome also suffer from other ailments including heart problems, impaired vision, and hearing loss. This is the most common birth defect known, with 1 in 800 babies being affected.

The cause of Down Syndrome is an extra X chromosome that affects the information that determines development of the fetus. There are many degrees of Down Syndrome. Some babies are very cognitive and their facial deformity is very mild. Others are severely deformed and have major health issues. These issues will affect the individual's chances of living a fairly normal life or one that requires a great deal of assistance from others.

While we know what causes Down Syndrome, science and technology have not yet developed a way to prevent it from occurring. However, some research indicates that women who don't get enough folic acid in their bodies. This has lead to doctors encouraging women to take their prenatal vitamins every day, even if they feel energized during their pregnancy.

Any child has the potential of being born with Down Syndrome. The risk is much higher if either parent has a history of it in their families. The risk is higher if the family already has one child with Down Syndrome or if the parents are older than 35 years of age. Blood testing done during pregnancy can identify the extra chromosome that causes Down Syndrome before the baby is born.

The use of prenatal screenings to identify Down Syndrome as been highly debated. This is because the birth defect is not considered life threatening to the parent or fetus. However, many parents make the choice to have an abortion if the fetus tests positive for Down Syndrome. Since the issue of abortion is well debated already, this adds another segment to it.

However, the medical field is strongly for the testing of Down Syndrome. They believe it gives parents the opportunity to make an informed choice. If they choose to have the baby, they can start preparing for the events that are going to take place. They can start getting information and setting up assistance programs for their child. They can also start getting counseling so that they are prepared to take care of their child with Down Syndrome from the moment their child arrives.