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Jul. 06' : Sixteen years of screening for Down syndrome in England and Wales: 1989-2004

JK Morris
Director National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register Centre for
Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Correspondence:
JK Morris
Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
E-mail: j.k.morris@qmul.ac.uk
Web del NDSCR: www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/ndscr

Article receibod: 30.06.06


Abstract
The National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register has been collecting data on all cytogenetic or DNA reports of trisomy 21 and its cytogenetic variants occurring in England and Wales since 1989. One aim of the Down syndrome register is to monitor the effectiveness and availability of the relevant prenatal diagnostic genetic services. In this article we use data from the Down syndrome register to examine the changes in screening for Down syndrome that occurred between 1989 and 2004. The number of Down syndrome has increased a 55%. The number of prenatally diagnosed cases has increased by over 300% with the number of live births only falling slightly.
Keywords: Down Syndrome. Epidemiology. Prenatal diagnosis. Preventive medicine. Screening.