Down syndrome can affect a person's cognitive ability and physical growth, cause mild to moderate developmental issues, and present a higher risk of some health problems.

Using a series of screenings and tests, healthcare professionals can detect Down syndrome before or after birth. Down syndrome occurs in around 1 in every 700 Trusted Sourcepregnancies. It is determined by many factors, but research suggests that there is a higher chance if the mother is older than 35 years of age.

Before the age of 30, Down syndrome occurs in fewer than 1 in 1,000Trusted Source pregnancies. After the age of 40, this figure rises to about 12 in 1,000.