More children with Down's Syndrome being born

[James Hannam]

For many years, it was assumed that a positive test for Down's Syndrome would lead to the pregnancy being terminated. It is pleasing to see that after an initial period when this happened more often, the trend is now in reverse. Parents have the test because they want to know and prepare, not because they want to terminate if the result is adverse.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7746747.stm

The parents who give these children life and love deserve our support and prayers.

Best wishes

James

[James Hannam]

A different view here: www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/24/disability-children

Apart from my last line, I may have called this one wrongly. It is likely that abortions of Down's babies have also increased.

J

[Noons]

I've read that the chances of Down Syndrome increase with the age of the mother, very rapidly around 35+. I've also read about a lot of talk in Europe about a demographic downturn (though a good deal of it looks like fear mongering). But one of the reasons cited for lower birth rates is that people, most focusing on women, are getting married later in life due to career opportunities and then choosing to have fewer children. Could the increase in Down Syndrome births be linked to this larger trend?

[James Hannam]

Dec 3, 2008 3:46:28 GMT @Noons said:

Could the increase in Down Syndrome births be linked to this larger trend?

Yes, I think it is. The number of abortions of Down's children is going up but so is the number of births.

Best wishes

James

[Turoldus]

www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/5991/