Passing Down Syndrome through generations
In 95% of cases, Down Syndrome occurs at a random error, not because of inheritance.
In 5% of cases, children can inherit Down syndrome from a healthy parent. Today there are many accurate tests available that can figure out if a parent may be holding a risk for Down syndrome in their DNA. The form of Down Syndrome called Mosiac Syndrome has no chance of inheritance (where only some cells have the extra chromosome copy).
In the 5% of cases that Down Syndrome may be inherited, it is purely because you are passing on the genes that are more likely to have the error occur.
"So if your future spouse’s family happens to have this form of Down syndrome in the family AND this spouse inherited the DNA for it, then there is a chance your future kids could be at a higher risk than other kids. To be specific, if your spouse is a man, then there is about a 3% chance that your children would be affected. And if she is a future wife, then the risk is 12%." - Katie Sharp, Standford University
There is a form of Down Syndrome that is more likely to result in DNA/ chromosomal inheritance. This is when you have 2 chromosomes stuck together rather than a third copy of chromosome 21. An adult with this form of Down Syndrome can have more issues when it comes to reproduction.
Here are the 6 most possible outcomes:
The Tech museum of information, Extra or missing chromosomes, <http://genetics.thetech.org/ask-a-geneticist/inherited-down-syndrome> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
Genetics home reference, Down Syndrome,<http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, What is Down Syndrome, <https://www.genome.gov/19517824#5> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
NSW Government Health, Down Syndrome Fact sheet, <http://www.genetics.edu.au/Publications-and-Resources/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/FactSheet28> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
NHS choices, Down Syndrome Causes, <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Downs-syndrome/Pages/Causes.aspx> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
Your genes your health, Down syndrome, <http://www.ygyh.org/ds/inherited.htm> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
In 5% of cases, children can inherit Down syndrome from a healthy parent. Today there are many accurate tests available that can figure out if a parent may be holding a risk for Down syndrome in their DNA. The form of Down Syndrome called Mosiac Syndrome has no chance of inheritance (where only some cells have the extra chromosome copy).
In the 5% of cases that Down Syndrome may be inherited, it is purely because you are passing on the genes that are more likely to have the error occur.
"So if your future spouse’s family happens to have this form of Down syndrome in the family AND this spouse inherited the DNA for it, then there is a chance your future kids could be at a higher risk than other kids. To be specific, if your spouse is a man, then there is about a 3% chance that your children would be affected. And if she is a future wife, then the risk is 12%." - Katie Sharp, Standford University
There is a form of Down Syndrome that is more likely to result in DNA/ chromosomal inheritance. This is when you have 2 chromosomes stuck together rather than a third copy of chromosome 21. An adult with this form of Down Syndrome can have more issues when it comes to reproduction.
Here are the 6 most possible outcomes:
The Tech museum of information, Extra or missing chromosomes, <http://genetics.thetech.org/ask-a-geneticist/inherited-down-syndrome> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
Genetics home reference, Down Syndrome,<http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, What is Down Syndrome, <https://www.genome.gov/19517824#5> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
NSW Government Health, Down Syndrome Fact sheet, <http://www.genetics.edu.au/Publications-and-Resources/Genetics-Fact-Sheets/FactSheet28> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
NHS choices, Down Syndrome Causes, <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Downs-syndrome/Pages/Causes.aspx> Retrieved 2nd October 2015
Your genes your health, Down syndrome, <http://www.ygyh.org/ds/inherited.htm> Retrieved 2nd October 2015