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Am I at Risk?

It is important to know if your baby is at risk for a chromosomal abnormality. Risk level seems to depend upon your age - the older you are, the more chance you have of delivering a baby with a chromosomal abnormality.

Maternal Age	< Risk of chromosomal abnormality	Risk of Down’s Syndrome
15-24	1/500	1/1500
25-29	1/385	1/1100
35	1/178	1/350
40	1/63	1/100
45	1/18	1/25

These statistics only take into account live births.  Most chromosomal abnormalities result in miscarriages early in the pregnancy.

If you have already had a child affected by a chromosomal abnormality, you are at increased risk for passing along another chromosomal abnormality.

What Different Disorders are There?

There are a variety of different chromosomal disorders, depending upon what is actually wrong with the chromosome. A very common abnormality is trisomy. A trisomy occurs when a baby has 3 copies of a chromosome instead of just two. A trisomy abnormality can bring on Downs syndrome, Patau’s syndrome, and Edward’s syndrome. 

Sometimes a baby will be born without the second sex chromosome (has chromosomes 45X0 in stead of 46XX or 46XY). This baby will be a girl and suffer from Turner’s syndrome.  Other babies are born with too many X chromosomes, resulting in Klinefelter syndrome.

Molar pregnancies occur when abnormal chromosomes prevent a proper pregnancy. Instead of an embryo forming, a strange mass will begin to grow in the uterus.

A Place to Begin

Where do you start when you find out your child has a chromosomal abnormality?  Pour over all the research you can get your hands on and speak with other parents. 

If there is a history of chromosomal abnormalities in your family or in your partner’s family, you will be referred to a genetic counselor.

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Does your baby have chromosomal abnormalties? Visit our Pregnancy Complications forum to speak with other women.