Patient's question:
I'm pregnant and recently heard that Down syndrome is a condition. I want to know what are the causes that lead to this disease?Doctor's answer:
Down syndrome, also known as 21-trisomy, is a common chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. The etiology is associated with early pregnancy maternal age, generational inheritance factors, the use of chemical drugs for induced abortion during early pregnancy, exposure to radiation, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. The incidence rate in live births is approximately 1.6‰—1.2‰, and the incidence rate increases with the age of the pregnant mother. Down syndrome children have severe intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and an inability to live independently, often accompanied by complex cardiovascular diseases or even malformations.