Symptoms of down syndrome

When discussing Down syndrome and how it is inherited, it's essential to start with Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down syndrome. This form accounts for about 95% of all cases.

How is down syndrome diagnosed

Causes of down syndrome during pregnancy

Effects of down syndrome

What causes down syndrome

How common is down syndrome

Trisomy 21 occurs when a child inherits an extra copy of chromosome 21 in every cell of their body. Normally, each cell contains two copies of every chromosome—one from each parent—. Still, in this case, there are three copies of chromosome 21, hence the term "trisomy." This happens due to an error during the division of cells in the egg or sperm.

Unlike other genetic conditions, Trisomy 21 is not usually passed down from parent to child.

It occurs spontaneously due to a mistake in cell division, which means it can happen in any pregnancy, regardless of family history.

Down syndrome life expectancy

However, the likelihood of having a child with Trisomy 21 increases with maternal age, particularly after the age of 35. This is why genetic counseling and prenatal testing are often recommended for older parents.

However, it's important to note that most babies with Down syndrome are born to younger women simply because younger

how is down syndrome passed from parent to child

how is down syndrome passed from parent to offspring