European Women Choose Abortion When Tested Positive for Down Syndrome: What is Down Syndrome? What are its causes and symptoms?

For those who have no idea about Down syndrome, here is everything you need to know. If you are pregnant and tested positive for this disorder, make sure you know about the syndrome well before making a decision.

A recent news report suggested that the number of cases of kids with Down syndrome is declining. Now, before you think it is because this syndrome is lesser seen, let us tell you, that is not the case. The fact is that in several countries across Europe and also US, women are carrying out prenatal screening tests to ensure they have a healthy baby growing in their womb. And if they are tested positive, women go for abortions. In fact some countries have completely eradicated Down syndrome by practicing these measures. Iceland for instance, hardly has cases of kids born with Down syndrome. Majority of women who were tested positive for Down syndrome chose to terminate their pregnancy thus eradicating this disorder. Now, to keep or not keep a baby with Down syndrome is a personal choice. However, before you make any decision, here is everything you need to know about Down Syndrome.

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a disorder that is caused because of a gene problem and it happens before birth. A woman gets to know if her unborn child has Down syndrome by getting prenatal tests done. After birth, a kid with Down syndrome usually has a flat face and very short neck. They are also intellectually disabled. There are many parents who have gone ahead with their pregnancy even after being tested positive for Down syndrome. Though this is a lifelong condition, with care, love and understanding a child with this disorder can also lead a normal life.

Causes of Down syndrome:

A normal person has 46 chromosomes; however a person with this disorder will have 47 chromosomes. Basically, abnormal chromosome problems are what cause Down syndrome. It affects the development of a person’s brain and body. The exact cause is still unknown, but there are some risk factors that you can be aware of. Your risk of having a child with Down syndrome increases if you have a late pregnancy or if you have somebody in the family who is already suffering from this.

Symptoms:

Unusual facial features like short arms, legs or neck and flat face are one of the many symptoms. A kid with Down syndrome also will have small eyes and mouth.

Joints are loose and the tongue is usually bulging out. Muscle tone is also very low as compared to a normal child.

Also some degree of mental and intellectual disability is observed in people suffering from this disorder.

Several medical complications also occur like heart defects, loss of hearing, poor vision, dementia leukemia and many more.