Why does down syndrome risk increase with age

Diagnostic tests can typically detect whether or not a baby will have Down syndrome, but they can be more risky for the mother and developing baby. Neither screening nor diagnostic tests can predict the full impact of Down syndrome on a baby; no one can predict this.

Extra fluid in this region could indicate a genetic problem. Rarely, screening tests can give an abnormal result even when there is nothing wrong with the baby.

Sometimes, the test results are normal and yet they miss a problem that does exist. Diagnostic tests are usually performed after a positive screening test in order to confirm a Down syndrome diagnosis. Types of diagnostic tests include:. Many people with Down syndrome have the common facial features and no other major birth defects.

However, some people with Down syndrome might have one or more major birth defects or other medical problems. Some of the more common health problems among children with Down syndrome are listed below. Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. Services early in life will often help babies and children with Down syndrome to improve their physical and intellectual abilities. Most of these services focus on helping children with Down syndrome develop to their full potential.

This can make it difficult to understand whether you're at risk for having a baby with Down syndrome. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of Down syndrome and what factors may increase your chances. To understand your baby's chances of Down syndrome, it helps to know what causes the condition in the first place. Most people are born with 46 chromosomes clusters of genes in the nucleus of every cell.

The chromosomes form in pairs with 23 from the mother and 23 from the father. Down syndrome happens when a baby is conceived with a full or partial extra copy of one of these chromosomes—specifically chromosome Experts have pinpointed three different types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21, mosaic Down syndrome, and translocation Down syndrome. Trisomy Most people have two copies of chromosome 21 in each cell, but those with trisomy 21 have three copies.

About 95 percent of Down syndrome cases are trisomy Mosaic Down Syndrome: While some cells have two copies of chromosome 21 like usual, others have an additional third copy. Mosaic Down syndrome occurs in percent of cases, and affected people may have fewer physical and intellectual characteristics of the condition. Translocation Down syndrome: There are two full copies of chromosome 21 in the cell, as well as a partial extra chromosome 21 stuck to an entirely different chromosome.

This is the result of a process called translocation, and it occurs in percent of Down syndrome cases. Although Down syndrome is a genetic condition , you most likely will not have any family history of it. That said, some factors might increase your chances of having a baby with Down syndrome.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The genetic basis of Down syndrome Open pop-up dialog box Close. The genetic basis of Down syndrome There are 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Rewriting the Script for Parents of Babies With Down Syndrome Randi, Simon and Brian Beyerl For new parents of babies born with Down syndrome, the educational brochures that were at their disposal made them feel less than hopeful.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references What is Down syndrome? National Down Syndrome Society. Accessed Dec. Down syndrome fact sheet. Messerlian GM, et al. Down syndrome: Overview of prenatal screening. National Library of Medicine. Down syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. Facts about Down syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Frequently asked questions. Prenatal genetic diagnostic tests. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ostermaier KK. Down syndrome: Management. Down syndrome: Clinical features and diagnosis. Accessed Jan. Gabbe SG, et al. Genetic screening and prenatal genetic diagnosis. In: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies.