Increase In Babies Born With Down Syndrome

December 2, 2009

More and more children in the U.S. are born with Down Syndrome.

The CDC took a look at 10 different birth-defect registries between the years 1979 to 2003.

Researchers saw a 31% increase in children born with Down Syndrome during that time period.

In 2003, 11 out of every 100,000 births resulted in a child with Down Syndrome.
Experts say more women having babies at an older age may be why.

Some kids with Down Syndrome go on to develop mental retardation or heart abnormalities.

Experts hope the new data will allow doctors to plan for increased care.
The study appears in the journal "Pediatrics."