Risk factors include: Advancing maternal age. A womans chances of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome increase with age because older eggs have a greater risk of improper chromosome division. A womans risk of conceiving a child with Down syndrome increases after 35 years of age.

Who has the greatest risk of having a child with Down syndrome?

Women over age 35 are at higher risk for giving birth to a child with Down syndrome. People have long recognized there is a connection between maternal age and Down syndrome.

What is the most common cause of Down syndrome?

The most common form of Down syndrome is called trisomy 21. This is a condition wherein people have 47 chromosomes in each cell instead of 46. An error in cell division called nondisjunction causes trisomy 21. This error leaves a sperm or egg cell with an extra copy of chromosome 21 before or at conception.

Why is my baby sticking his tongue out so much?

The tongue-thrust reflex that babies are born with includes sticking the tongue out. This helps facilitate breast or bottle feeding. While this reflex typically disappears between 4 to 6 months of age, some babies continue to stick their tongues out from habit. They may also simply think it feels funny or interesting.