Down Syndrome: The Case for Universal Prenatal Screening without Age Limitations

Kochi, March 21 (IANS) Screening all pregnancies, irrespective of age, may help in early identification of Down syndrome cases, said doctors on World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday. Children born with this genetic condition have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21, leading to various health issues.

“It is imperative to adopt universal first-trimester screening, employing biochemical marker measurements in blood and ultrasound examinations, which boasts up to 90 per cent accuracy in identifying foetal risk,” said Dr. Sheela Nampoothiri, Head of Paediatric Genetics at Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

Traditionally, screening for Down syndrome was usually conducted among women over 35 years, based on age-related assumptions. However, recent studies have shown that the condition can occur at any maternal age, highlighting the importance of universal screening for all pregnant women.

Dr. Nampoothiri’s study at Amrita Hospital revealed that 78 percent of children with Down syndrome were born to mothers under 35 years, emphasizing the need for broader screening practices to avoid missing a significant number of cases.

Dr. Vipul Gupta, chief of Neurointervention at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, pointed out that while the risk of Down syndrome increases with maternal age, it can still occur in pregnancies at any age. Universal screening allows for informed decisions about healthcare and pregnancy management for all expectant individuals.