Down Syndrome Statistics, Frequency, Lifespan
Learn the most common Down syndrome statistics and life expectancy for children born with this chromosomal abnormality.
Finding out your child may have a disorder during pregnancy can be very upsetting, so one of the most important statistics to remember is that prenatal testing for Down syndrome (DS) during the first trimester has about a 5% risk of showing a false positive.
Down Syndrome Statistics:
• The frequency of Down syndrome from 1979-2003 incidence increased by 31%. (see table)
• It is the most common cause of birth defects and occurs in approximately 1 per 800 to 1,000 births, although it is statistically much more common with older mothers.
• Approximately 40% of children with symptoms will have a medical condition that includes cardiac abnormalities.
• Approximately 95% of people have DS due to non-disjunction, which is also called Trisomy 21
• Amniocentisis testing has a one in 200 chance of miscarriage.
• Chorinoic Villus Sampling (CVS) has a one in 100 chance of miscarriage.
• Amniocentisis, Chorinoic Villus Sampling (CVS), and Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS) testing are about 98-99% accurate in diagnosing DS.
• The current down syndrome life expectancy is 55 years old
• Older woman are 5 times as likely to give birth to a child with DS.
• There are more male than female children with characteristics ages 0-19.
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References
1. Cauldwell, K. (2006). Down syndrome Information: Characteristics of DS & DS Information: What is DS?. www.associatedcontent.com. 10-11-10.
2. Brenzk. K. (2006). DS Facts and Misconceptions. www.associatedcontent.com. 10-11-10.
3. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). DS: Test and Diagnosis. www.mayoclinic.com. 10-11-10.
4. Wikipedia. Down Syndrome. http://en.wikipedia.org. 10-18-10.
5. Centers for Disease control. DS cases at birth increased. www.cdc.gov. 3-24-11.
6. National Down Syndrome Society. Mental Health Issues and DS. www.ndss.org. 3-24-11.