New test for Down syndrome

Scientists claim to have developed a blood test that made a pregnant woman to find out if their unborn baby has Down syndrome.

The procedures used at present pose risks to the fetus and pregnancy loss.

The DNA test developed at Stanford University in blood samples of 18 pregnant women correctly identified nine cases of Down syndrome, recounted the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA.

Babies with Down syndrome have a copy of most of the “chromosome 21″ that causes them physical and intellectual disabilities.

If a fetus has three copies of chromosome instead of two, there will also be a relative increase in the amount of “chromosome 21″ in the blood of the mother because the DNA can cross the placenta from one body to another.

The test identifies and counts these DNA fragments and is sensitive enough to detect small increases in them.

“This non-invasive examination will be much safer than those currently used,” said Quake.

One of the most common methods to confirm the existence of this condition is amniocentesis, which uses a long needle to extract a sample of fluid in the womb.

About one in 100 women who pass this test by losing the pregnancy as a result.

The scientist explained that this re-examination of DNA can even be done at an earlier stage of pregnancy than other currently available, giving families more time to decide about pregnancy.

Carol Boys, showed the importance that parents have accurate information on the evolution of pregnancy.

Although he clarified that he does not consider that this condition is in itself a reason to abort a pregnancy, he acknowledged that “raising a child with Down syndrome is not something that is easy for any parent.”

“The more information parents have better”, he said.