Noninvasive Prenatal Genetic Testing for Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a condition that develops as a result of an abnormality in the number of chromosomes an individual inherits. More specifically, an extra copy of the twenty-first chromosome causes both physical and mental developmental delays affected individuals.
It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental ability of an 8 or 9-year-old child, but this can vary.
Expecting parents are now able to learn more about their pregnancy through prenatal screening.
Guidelines recommend screening for Down syndrome to be offered to all pregnant women, regardless of age.A number of tests are used, with varying levels of...