How can syndrome be prevented?

Prevention of Down Syndrome

While there is no surefire way to prevent Down syndrome, there are a few things that can be done to reduce the risk of having a child with the condition:

1. Advanced maternal age screening:

Women who are over the age of 35 are at an increased risk of having a child with Down syndrome. This is because the eggs of older women are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities. If you are over the age of 35, talk to your doctor about screening for Down syndrome.

2. Genetic counseling

If you have a family history of Down syndrome or if you are over the age of 35, you may want to consider genetic counseling. A genetic counselor can help you understand your risk of having a child with Down syndrome and can discuss the options available to you.

3. Prenatal testing

There are a number of prenatal tests that can be used to screen for Down syndrome. These tests include:

- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): This test is performed between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. A small sample of tissue is taken from the placenta and is tested for chromosomal abnormalities.

- Amniocentesis: This test is performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. A small amount of amniotic fluid is withdrawn from the uterus and is tested for chromosomal abnormalities.

- Ultrasound: An ultrasound can be used to measure the thickness of the nuchal fold at the back of the baby's neck. If the nuchal fold is too thick, it may indicate an increased risk of Down syndrome.

- Blood tests: There are a number of blood tests that can be used to screen for Down syndrome. These tests measure levels of certain hormones and proteins in the blood.

4. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

PGD is a procedure that can be used to select embryos that do not have Down syndrome. This procedure involves in vitro fertilization (IVF) and genetic testing of the embryos. Only the embryos that do not have Down syndrome are implanted in the uterus.

It is important to note that none of these methods can completely eliminate the risk of having a child with Down syndrome. However, they can help to reduce the risk and can provide peace of mind to expectant parents.