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An in-depth study of 1989-1991 births calculated the impact of prenatal diagnosis and subsequent medically indicated pregnancy termination of affected pregnancies on the observed Down syndrome rate.
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Down syndrome was noted in 1.1 per 1000 livebirths; adjusting for medically indicated pregnancy terminations, the rate is 1.5 per 1000 livebirths. |
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There was a 26% reduction in livebirths with Down syndrome due to prenatal diagnosis and medically indicated pregnancy termination. A 49% reduction was seen for mothers over age 35, with a 7% reduction for births to mothers under 35. |
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Latinas had the lowest reduction (10%) while Whites had the highest reduction (46%). |
PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS FINDINGS
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Most prenatally diagnosed cases during this period were identified by amniocentesis; about 10% were detected by chorionic villus sampling (CVS). |
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88% of prenatally diagnosed cases were terminated. |
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76% of continued pregnancies were liveborn; 24% spontaneously miscarried or ended in fetal death. |
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