What are the chances my baby could have down syndrome?

Question

Iam 11 weeks pregnant, iam 23 years old. I had an aunt that had down syndrome. She was my mothers sister. I guess it was down syndrome, im not really sure what the difference between that and mental retardation is... but she was like 50 sumthn and had the brain of a 6 year old.. I was just wondering, what are the chances that my baby could inherit this? I believe she was the only case of it in our family.

Answer 1

very rare percentage, dont worry the doctor will check for this.

Answer 2

Well, there is a test that you can have done, called the AFP test. They do the test between 15-18 weeks and it tests for down syndrome.
The fact that your aunt had it . . has very little to do with your child getting it!
You have to take in to account that when your aunt was born (over 50 years ago) that they didn't have the technology they have now. A lot of those cases are something that went wrong with the pregnancy .. rather than being hereditary. The mothers back then didn't know the dangers and risks of certain medications, foods, chemicals, etc. It could have been something that was caused during pregnancy, and that would NOT be hereditary.
Don't stress .. your mother and you are perfectly fine .. I'm sure your baby will be too!
but, be sure to take that AFP test! it will put your mind at ease! everyone worries about their child having down syndrome. I'm 24 weeks pregnant and we had that test done on our son and it came back negative (thank God!) .. it's always good to put your mind at ease :)

good luck! God bless!

Answer 3

Hi...first of all congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby! down syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a genetic anomaly, where there is an extra chromosome... it can not be inherited. the risks that your child might have DS are just like everyone else's risks at your age (1 in 700). could you be that 1 in 700 sure....I have met plenty of women some younger than you that have children with down syndrome. it is a roll of the dice sweetie...you get what God has given you. I have a 3 yr old son with down syndrome, and he is the only one on both my side, and my husband's that has it. have you had a triple screen blood test yet? this will help determine your risk's of having a child with DS. though it is just a screening and can produce a lot false positives. if the Dr. feels you might be at risk they will ask if you want to do a level 2 ultra-sound to look for markers that may be present....such as thicker fungal fold, shorter limbs, congenital heart defects and such. they usually do this at around 20 weeks, if they find any of these markers you will then be asked if you want an amnio done to confirm their suspicions...that is the only true way of knowing if your child has down syndrome.
just a side note....having a child with down syndrome is not the end of the world like it was 50 yrs ago even 20 years ago for that matter. today children with DS are given a better start in life with birth to three programs and therapies as well as special education to give them the opportunity to gain their full potential and become productive members of society. I hope this helps ease your mind somewhat!

Answer 4

There is a blood test that can be done now, ask your doctor and be sure to tell him about your aunt.But in the mean time try not to worry. The odds of it at your age are very small. Also a down syndrome adult functioning as a 6 year old is fairly high functioning so even if your baby is affected, don't despair. Many can live healthy, happy lives and be trained to care for themselves in every day life with a little patience. If your baby has Down's get early therapy. Many can learn sign language to help with communication/. [they usually have a tongue deformity that impairs speech] MY brother in law is a loving gentle soul who everyone adores.

Answer 5

I think since your family genetically has this, the risks run GREATER in your family than anyone who does not have the risk of down syndrome. Dont be too scared though, I believe the risk is still very low, something like 5% or so, but I'd check in with your doctor to make sure. The good thing about this is that you're young still, so your odds are with you. There are tests that they can run to see if your child has developed normally. Also, taking additional folic acid can reduce your chances of these types of developmental disabilities. Good luck!

Answer 6

In over 99% of the cases of Down syndrome, it is not inhereted. In other words, it's just a random thing, it isn't something that runs in your family. At your age, your risk of having a baby with Down syndrome in the random way is really really low too. It is not caused by anything the mother does during pregnancy or any complications of childbirth.

By the way, kids with DS go much much further these days than your aunt did because we know they can learn, and we know how to teach them. Your aunt probably never got that chance. I know people with DS these days who play musical instruments, go to college, and own their own businesses. My six-year-old daughter has DS and she also has the brain of a 6-year-old! ;)

Answer 7

If you are are under the age of 25 when the baby is born chances are 1:1500. Also, 95% of women who give birth to a child with Downs have no family history of it.

Answer 8

Since you are only 23, your chances of having a baby with D.S. are pretty low. Have you been to your doctor yet? Usually if there is any history of D.S., they will do a test to check for it. The test has a lot of false positives though, but I'm sure your doctor will explain all of that to you.

Answer 9

Do not worry.I am no doctor,but i belive that the chances of your baby having the Down syndrome are very small.And I don't belive that the Down syndrome is transmited from parents to son.And the ods of a young mother having a sick baby are small.

Answer 10

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my doctor tested for down syndrome.Request a test from your doctor,that is the only way to know for sure.(my daughter was born without down syndrome)

Answer 11

Your chances are very low. Was your aunt the youngest child- was your grandmother old when she had her? The risk is higher as you get older.