Patient's question:
My child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. I would like to ask, why does one get Down syndrome?Doctor's answer:
Down syndrome is a congenital defect disease caused by chromosomal structural abnormalities. There are multiple causes of Down syndrome, with genetic factors accounting for a certain proportion. Ten percent of Down syndrome cases are due to an extra chromosome from the father. Additionally, teratogenic substances in the environment, such as radiation, can cause chromosomal abnormalities. If a woman's abdomen is exposed to radiation before or during pregnancy, the risk of Down syndrome will increase. Third, the age of the pregnant woman is also a major factor affecting the incidence of Down syndrome. The older a woman is, the higher the likelihood of developing Down syndrome.