More babies with Down's syndrome being born
More babies are being born with Down's syndrome than before
Also In The News
|
England have lost the one-day series to India after a 19-run defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis method in Bangalore. |  |
Monday, 24, Nov 2008 11:42
More babies are being born with Down's syndrome than before pre-natal screening for the disorder was introduced, figures show.
Research carried out by the Down's Syndrome Association appears to show that more parents are willing to have a child with the disorder than in the past.
In 2006 there were 749 Down's births compared to the 717 in 1989 when the screenings became widespread.
The association surveyed 1,000 parents to discover their reasons for continuing with the pregnancy despite a positive test result for the disorder.
Of those, a fifth said they had known someone with Down's, a third claimed it was due to religious or ant-abortion beliefs, while crucially 30 per cent suggested that the quality of life of sufferers had improved.
Many of the respondents claimed that those affected by the syndrome are more accepted in society today.
The survey was compiled to coincide with a BBC Radio 4 documentary, Born With Down's, which is due to be transmitted at 20:00 GMT tonight.
Speaking on the documentary, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, Carol Boys said: "We are all very surprised by this. It wasn't what any of us working in the field would have anticipated and it seems to show that more parents are thinking more carefully before opting for prenatal screening and termination – that being born with Down's syndrome is being seen in a different light today.
"When I and others had our babies it was a very different world – those with Down's syndrome were treated very differently. Now there is much greater inclusion and acceptance, with mainstream education having a huge role. We think this plays a part in the decisions parents make – there's even been a baby with Down’s syndrome on EastEnders."