In GB steigt die Geburtenrate von Kindern mit DS!

[Ritchie]

Hallo alle,
eben erreicht mich die Nachricht aus einem englischen DS-Forum, dass offenbar die Geburtenrate von Kindern mit DS in Grossbritannien seit 2000 erfreulicherweise ziemlich stark am Steigen ist. Nachdem 1989 ein allgemeine Pränataldiagnostik eingeführt worden war, heisst es im unten angeführten Artikel, sei die jährliche Geburtenrate von 717 auf 594 gefallen. Seit 2000 ist sie jedoch wieder stetig gestiegen und in 2006, dem letzten jahr, für das aktuelle Zahlen erhältlich waren, wurden 749 Kinder mit DS geboren, sogar mehr als vor dem Screening. Heute abend wird um 20:00 British Standard Time (21:00 Schweizer Zeit) BBC Radio 4 darüber eine Sendung ausstrahlen mit dem Titel "Mit Down-Syndrom geboren".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

Lieber Gruss,
Richard

***

Down's Syndrome birth rate increase

3 hours ago

More babies are being born with Down's Syndrome than before pre-natal
screening for the disorder was introduced at the end of the 1980s, it
was revealed.

Parents appear more willing to bring a Down's child into the world
than they used to be, research shows.

Many are taking the decision because those affected by the syndrome
are more accepted in society today and their quality of life has
improved, according to a new survey.

After the widespread introduction of screening for Down's syndrome in
1989, the number of babies born with the condition in the UK each year
fell from 717 to 594 at the start of this decade.

Since 2000, the birth rate has increased, reaching 749 in 2006, the
latest year for which figures are available.

Figures from the National Down's Syndrome Cytogenetic Register show
that the proportion of new born children with Down's syndrome rose by
around 15% between 2000 and 2006.

Around one in every 1,000 babies born has Down's Syndrome, an
incurable genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome.

Its physical effects include a characteristic "flat" face and slanting
eyes, short stature, heart defects, and poor sight and hearing. People
with Down's Syndrome also have moderate to severe degrees of learning
disability.

A blood test or ultrasound scan is used to tell if a pregnant woman is
at risk of having a child with Down's. This can be followed by more
invasive tests which take samples of fluid from the womb or placental
tissue to show definitively if a child has the syndrome. At either
stage a decision may be taken whether or not to continue with the
pregnancy.

The Down's Syndrome Association, in conjunction with the BBC,
conducted a survey of 1,000 of its members to find out why so many
were choosing to have Down's children despite the availability of
pre-natal screening. The findings will be featured in the documentary
"Born with Down's Syndrome" to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 8pm On
Sunday.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpres ... yCVxSA\uBg