Down Syndrome

[mjdaone]

I was told this morning by my doctor that Down Syndrome is more to do with the mother's age than anything.  My unborn baby's father has two children from a previous marriage - a ten year old who is fine and a three year old with down syndrome.  I would like some specific information on my chances of having a baby with down sydrome.  Any suggestions?

[Philip1815]

check out

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000997.htm

[gracy]

I have a son who is 9 years old with down syndrome.  This is really not a problem for you unless you are over 35, then your doctor will want to rule it out with tests at a certain point of your pregnancy.  It is not hereditary unless it is a form of downs called "translocation" trisomy 21.  Regular trisomy 21 is a 1 in about 2000 births chance, and generally it is because of the mother.  Not something she has or has not done, it's just something to do with our eggs.  I always said I just had a 'sticky' egg. Translocation produces a child that is severly retarded and medically fragile.  There is a big difference, and it can run in families.  My son is trisomy 21, and he is wonderful and healthy.  I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world.  He is my youngest and I was only 24 when I had him.  Good luck to you.  I would not worry.

[Raqz]

I have a Down Syndrome Brother.  My mum fell pregnant when i was 16, although she had a coil fitted, she had idea until 24 hours after the birth, mum and dad then made a decision to have a second child to keep him company growing up, he wasn't DS - both of them have made our family complete.  When I was pregnant with my second child I was told there was a strong possibility that he had DS - this turned out to be wrong, he was fine.  

What I am trying to say is that I was given all the leaflets and talked to specialists and all of them said there was no medical evidence that it runs in families - as the make up of the child is different as the second parent is a completely different family.  Also research showed that it wasn't older mums who were more likely to have DS children.

I was scared when I was told he had DS - I was 16 and didn't know any better.  But having lived with him, he is one of the best things that has happened to our family and none of us would be without him.

I hope this helps ease your mind.