Can Down syndrome be prevented?

Down syndrome cannot be prevented. There are many things you can do to help your child live a happy and healthy life. For more information, see Treatment Overview.

There is currently no known method of prevention of Down syndrome. However, individuals who are at high risk of having a baby with Down syndrome may undergo genetic testing to determine if they are carriers of translocated chromosome 21. Prenatal screening and diagnostic tests may also be performed to determine if a mother's fetus has Down syndrome.

Genetic counselors can help patients understand the risks of having a child with Down syndrome. He/she can also explain the different types of genetic tests, including their potential risks and benefits. Genetic counselors can also help patients understand the results of their tests.

Patients diagnosed with Down syndrome should undergo regular checkups with their doctors, including their cardiologists, gastroenterologists, and primary care physicians. This helps reduce the risk of developing complications.

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Some cases of Down syndrome can be prevented by being aware of the disease risk factors and also utilizing available screening tests. Mainly, the older the mother (more than 30 years old), the higher the chance of chromosomal errors and Down syndrome. Also, if there is a history of previous children with Down, then there is a much greater chance of having another affected child. Screening tests are now standard in most prenatal care and can give parents an idea of the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities. There are exceptions to all the above, and so not all cases can be prevented.