The risk for having a child with Down syndrome

Answer 1

increases with maternal age, with women over the age of 35 having a higher risk. Additionally, there is a slightly increased risk for women who have previously given birth to a child with Down syndrome. Other risk factors include certain genetic conditions, such as a translocation of chromosomes 21, and exposure to certain environmental factors. However, the majority of cases of Down syndrome occur in babies born to parents with no known risk factors. It is important for women to discuss their individual risk factors with their healthcare provider in order to make informed decisions about prenatal testing and screening.