Down syndrome birth rate increases (UK)

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Down's Syndrome

birth rate increase

3 hours ago

More babies are

being born with Down's Syndrome than before pre-natal screening for the

disorder was introduced at the end of the 1980s, it was revealed.

Parents appear

more willing to bring a Down's child into the world than they used to be,

research shows.

Many are taking

the decision because those affected by the syndrome are more accepted in

society today and their quality of life has improved, according to a new

survey.

After the

widespread introduction of screening for Down's syndrome in 1989, the number of

babies born with the condition in the UK each year fell from 717 to 594 at the

start of this decade.

Since 2000, the

birth rate has increased, reaching 749 in 2006, the latest year for which

figures are available.

Figures from the

National Down's Syndrome Cytogenetic Register show that the proportion of new

born children with Down's syndrome rose by around 15% between 2000 and 2006.

Around one in

every 1,000 babies born has Down's Syndrome, an incurable genetic disorder

caused by the presence of an extra chromosome.

Its physical

effects include a characteristic " flat " face and slanting eyes, short

stature, heart defects, and poor sight and hearing. People with Down's Syndrome

also have moderate to severe degrees of learning disability.

A blood test or

ultrasound scan is used to tell if a pregnant woman is at risk of having a

child with Down's. This can be followed by more invasive tests which take

samples of fluid from the womb or placental tissue to show definitively if a

child has the syndrome. At either stage a decision may be taken whether or not

to continue with the pregnancy.

The Down's

Syndrome Association, in conjunction with the BBC, conducted a survey of 1,000

of its members to find out why so many were choosing to have Down's children

despite the availability of pre-natal screening. The findings will be featured

in the documentary " Born with Down's Syndrome " to be broadcast on BBC

Radio 4 at 8pm On Sunday.

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