How to Identify Down Syndrome Risk Factors

There are no definitive answers as to why a child is born with Down syndrome. With that in mind, it is hard to predict and identify specific risk factors for the disease. There are, however, certain things that increase the risk and that should be taken into consideration when conceiving and testing during pregnancy. If your doctor thinks you are at an especially high risk, he will recommend special tests. Read on to learn more about how to identify Down syndrome risk factors.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider age. Older mothers have a significant higher risk of having a child with Down syndrome--one in 2,000 for 20-year-old mothers and one in 385 for 35-year-old mothers. Women over 45 have quite a high risk, so they are often subjected to more tests during pregnancy to make sure their babies are healthy.

• 2

  Forget ethnicity. There are no ethnicities that are more prone than others to have babies with Down syndrome. Some ethnicities are more likely than others to marry young because of cultural customs, thus reducing their chances of having children with Down syndrome.

• 3

  Consider your family history. Having a Down syndrome brother or sister or giving birth to a first baby with DS makes you more likely to have another one with the same condition. If you had a previous pregnancy that resulted in the conception of a child with Down syndrome, your doctor will suggest special tests, no matter your age and general health.

• 4

  Stop smoking. If you are considering pregnancy, give up cigarettes. Young women who smoke are at a higher risk of having Down syndrome babies, especially when smoking is combined with other factors, such as taking oral contraceptives, drinking or having a family history of the disease. Older women who smoke are at an even higher risk.

• 5

  Don't blame yourself. Down syndrome happens when a baby has an extra pair of chromosome 21. This happens at conception, so nothing can be done during the actual pregnancy to avoid it or even to identify your risk level. Research the symptoms to understand what the disease means and make sure you are not overwhelmed by what it means--and doesn't mean.