Down syndrome (Facts and screening)

PRENATAL SCREENING DOWN SYNDROME

1. Down syndrome is the commonest form of chromosomal disorder worldwide.
2. Down syndrome is the commonest cause of severe mental retardation.
3. Every pregnant woman has a chance (risk of having a child with Down syndrome)
4. The vast majority of pregnancies affected by Down syndrome have no clearly identified risk factors.
5. The risk for Down syndrome is higher, when there is a previous Down syndrome in the family (immediate or extended).
6. Down syndrome occurs more commonly in pregnant women above 35 years.
7. Down syndrome is not caused by witch craft or sorceries.
8. Down syndrome is not related to dietary indiscretion or mistake of drugs or alcohol.
9. All pregnancies should be screened for Down syndrome through nuchal translucency scan and/or maternal blood analysis.
10. Only screen positive pregnancies are advised to have invasive test such as chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis.