CHENNAI: Prenatal and new born baby screenings will go a long way in diagnosis and treatment of the many chromosomal conditions, including Down Syndrome, leading to birth abnormalities, said Dr S Suresh, Chief Medical Director, Mediscan Systems. Speaking at a meet organised by the Down Sydrome Association of Tamil Nadu, he said, “About 70 per cent of the chromosomal abnormalities can be diagnosed by screening mothers between their 11th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. Mothers over 35 years of age, are at an increased risk of delivering babies with Down Syndrome. Still, 70 per cent of the newly born babies with Down Syndrome are born to mothers who are in the age group of 25-35 years.”“During one of our studies, it was discovered that 68 per cent of the expectant mothers did not have any idea about the prenatal screening and diagnostic test. We need to spread awareness among people about these screenings,” he added.Chennai will play host to the next World Down Syndrome Congress in 2015 where Dr Rekha Ramachandran, President, Down Syndrome Association of Tamil Nadu, will be taking over as the president of the World Down Syndrome Association. Around 2,000 people who are affected by Down Syndrome are likely to attend the conference.While the focus of the association, here in Tamil Nadu, has been on screening and conducting tests, simultaneous efforts were made to sensitise school teachers to help them handle children with Down Syndrome. There are 700 to 750 children with Down Syndrome studying in regular schools in the State, which is a huge number when compared to other states, informed Dr Rekha.
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