Births of Down’s Syndrome Children Up in the UK
November 24, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Disability Rights, Family, Genetics, Health
More children with Down’s Syndrome are being born in the UK, according to today’s Times Online.
Widespread screening was introduced in 1989, and led to a steady fall in new instances of Down’s syndrome. From 717 babies born with Down’s that year, the total decreased each year, to 594 in 2000.
During the next six years the birth rate for children with Down’s rose by 15 per cent, reaching 749 in 2006, the most recent year for which figures are available from the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register.
It’s noted that, while most women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome choose not to have the child, “many are now deciding to give birth.”
Carol Boys, chief executive of the [Down’s Syndrome Association, had not expected the rise in Down’s syndrome births. “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,” she says on the programme.
“When I and others had our babies it was a very different world . . . 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.”
A little positive representation of autism, of disabilities and human diversity, of life raising a disabled child—can go a long, long way.
Would I have had Charlie, if (while pregnant with him) I had known that he’d be autistic?
Yes—you betcha, indeed.
Jeff Stimpson
Jill Cornfield
I was quite surprised to see that the number of Down’s births were up- my faith in humanity has been a little bit restored.
A couple of my favorite books on expecting and then raising a child with Down’s Syndrome:
Martha Beck “Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic”
Mitchell Zuckoff “Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey”
When I counseled for prenatal care, I always included a discussion on the prenatal testing as not being solely for the purpose of abortion. Rather it is for making a more informed decision and then being prepared for a baby, should the parents decide to carry a pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality and keep the baby. Most of my patient’s were very receptive to learning more about raising a child with special needs, and I had more parents choosing to carry and raise a child with special needs than those who opted for abortion. (Before anyone tries to jump all over me, I am not a right to lifer nor an abortion provider.)
We thought about this a lot. We did infertility treatments for our second son, and it mattered not one whit if he/she might be on the spectrum. We were also completely okay with having a child with Down’s syndrome, given I was in my 40’s. I knew we would love another child no matter what.