According to the March of Dimes, about 120,000 babies are born
with birth defects each year. A birth defect is an abnormality
of structure, function, or metabolism present at birth that
results in physical or mental disabilities or possibly death.
Testing for birth defects may be nerve-wracking for expectant
parents, but it can also bring peace of mind. One of the most
frequent prenatal tests doctors perform is for the detection of
Down syndrome. In Down sydrome, the presence of an additional
chromosome causes a combination of birth defects, such as mental
retardation, characteristic facial features, heart defects,
increased infections, trouble with vision and hearing, and other
health problems. Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic
birth defects, affecting approximately one in 800 babies. The
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG),
recommends that pregnant women of all ages consider screening
options before the 15th week of pregnancy to assess their risk
of having a baby with Do