Pregnancy tips Down Syndrome - Age Not The Only Factor

We all know that Down Syndrome is more common in older mothers (but the overall incidence is still rather low). This article discusses how it's actually more common in first pregnancies. Read more:



Age Not Only Factor In Down Syndrome: Number And Age Of Existing Siblings Are Also Influential



From the article:



Neuhäuser and Krackow reviewed and analysed data from 1953 and 1972 (before abortion was widespread). They found that other factors, besides the mother’s increasing age, were linked to the number of Down Syndrome cases. Down Syndrome rates were significantly higher in older mothers in their first pregnancy than in older mothers who had already had children. Only late first pregnancies were more likely to produce a Down Syndrome baby, not late second or third pregnancies. In addition, the larger the gap between pregnancies, the higher the rates of Down Syndrome.