Analysis of fetal and maternal results from fetal genetic invasive procedures: an exploratory study at a University Hospital

Mothers of children with Down syndrome: a clinical and epidemiological study

Down syndrome is the main genetic cause of intellectual disability. Many studies describe the clinical characteristics of DS patients; however, few have investigated the clinical profile of mothers who have children with DS. Advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years old) is a risk factor for DS. Although there is an overall increase in pregnancies among women with advanced maternal age, there is still a lack of awareness of the increased risk of aneuploidy. Here, we reported the clinical and epidemiological profile of DS children and their mothers in a public reference hospital in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For data collection, we performed a face-to-face interview guided by a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions. A total of 344 individuals, 172 mothers and their DS children, were included in this study. Our results show that 56% of the mothers sampled were ≥ 35 years of age at childbirth. Although 98% of them received prenatal care, only 4% obtained a prenatal diagnosis of DS. Most mothers reported not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes during pregnancy. Furthermore, 91% of women took prenatal vitamins and supplements; however, 47% were not aware of their benefits for a healthy pregnancy. Given the strict correlation between advanced maternal age and DS, prenatal care should include genetic counseling for women over 35 years of age. This study highlights the importance of prenatal care and the urgent need for better DS screening allowing for immediate postnatal care, positively impacting the life expectancy of these patients.

Down Syndrome in Brazil: Occurrence and Associated Factors

Background: Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability, with an estimated birth prevalence of 14 per 10,000 live births. In Brazil, statistical data on the occurrence of babies born with Down syndrome remain unclear. We aimed to estimate the occurrence of Down syndrome between 2012 and 2018, and to observe its association with maternal, gestational, paternal characteristics, and newborn vitality. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out using secondary data included in the Certificate of Live Birth in a state located in the southeastern region of Brazil. Data analysis was performed in the software Stata 14.1. Pearson’s chi-square test for bivariate analysis, and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were performed, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a significance of 5%. Results: We observed that 157 cases of Down syndrome were reported among 386,571 live births, representing an incidence of 4 in 10,000 live births. Down syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥ 35 years, paternal age ≥ 30 years, the performance of six or more prenatal consultations, prematurity, and low birth weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Women aged 35 and over were more likely to have children born with Down syndrome. In addition, there is an association of Down syndrome with premature birth, low birth weight, and the number of prenatal consultations (≥6).