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Two recent articles highlight how much has been learned about Down syndrome during the last 20 years, as well as how much additional research is needed.
In a population-based study conducted in northern England, researchers found that the proportion of confirmed pregnancies affected by Down syndrome between 1985 and 2004 increased from 1.3 to 2.5 per 1000 total births. The prevalence of live Down syndrome births per 1000 live births decreased during the first 10 years, but increased thereafter, leaving no net change in the proportion of Down syndrome live births, despite a 20% decline in the total birth. In Northern England, maternal serum screening (introduced in 1991) was performed in only 35% to 40% of pregnancies since 1994. About 80% of…