Down Syndrome

Causes & Prevention

Who Is Most At Risk for Having a Down Syndrome Baby?

At greatest risk for giving birth to a child with Down syndrome are:

  • Parents who have already had a baby with Down syndrome
  • Mothers or fathers who have a rearrangement involving chromosome 21

Down Syndrome is Genetic -- There is No Cure or Prevention

Because Down syndrome is a genetic abnormality, there is not way to prevent it, and at present there is no cure either.

Recent studies suggest, however, that mothers who give birth to Down syndrome babies may have a metabolic abnormality in the way their bodies process the B vitamin called Folic Acid.

What Causes Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called non-disjunction.

All people with Down syndrome have an extra, critical portion of the number 21 chromosome present in all, or some, of their cells. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with the syndrome.

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.