Baby With Down Syndrome.

Through medical research, we know older women are at higher risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome, although many of these pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth. Various tests are offered to an older woman during pregnancy to determine whether a baby will have Down syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal defect detected by amniocentesis. (See Week 16 for more information on amniocentesis.)

The risk of delivering a baby with down syndrome increases as you get older. Look at the following statistics:
•    at age 25 the risk is 1 in 1,300 births
•    at 30 it is 1 in 965 births
•    at 35 it is 1 in 365 births
•    at 40 it is 1 in 109 births
•    at 45 it is 1 in 32 births
•    at 49 it is 1 in 12 births

(But there is also a positive way to look at these statistics. If you're 45, you have a 97% chance of not having a baby with Down syndrome. If you're 49, you have a 92% chance of delivering a child without Down syndrome. If you are concerned about the risk of Down syndrome because of your age or family history, discuss it with your healthcare provider.

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