Women have the option of getting tested before the child is born. There are blood tests that can detect fetal genetic abnormalities, including Down syndrome. If a child has an extra copy of chromosome 21, the child will have cognitive impairment and the risk for other abnormalities.
Many parents undergo testing to determine whether or not their baby will have the disorder and also to prepare to make the decision of having to raise a child with special needs or to terminate the pregnancy. The number of babies born to Hispanic women is increasing because they are the least likely to terminate a fetus affected with Down syndrome.
Another reason that women are not terminating their pregnancies is because families have more educational, social and financial support, than they did in the past. Experts say that even though there are tests available, they have little impact because it’s a personal decision and many desire to be parents, despite their child’s limitations.
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