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special needs

Down Syndrome Surprisingly Increases in Last 24 Years

by Jennifer Lance on December 8, 2009 · 5 comments

Photo by annikaleighThe number of babies with Down syndrome grows

The number of babies with Down syndrome grows

The amount of genetic screenings suggested to prospective parents in prenatal care has grown dramatically over the years.  From cystic fibrosis to sickle cell anemia, pregnant parents may find out before birth if their child has a genetic disorder, but then what? Given the prevalence of genetic screenings, researchers were shocked to find the incidence of Down syndrome has actually increased by 31 percent over the last 24 years.

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UK Study Finds 12-Fold Increase in Autism

by Cate Nelson on June 3, 2009 · 1 comment

The cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have risen dramatically over the past 30 years, so much so that there may be 50 percent more cases than previously suspected.

Up to 250,000 children have autism or a related condition on the autistic spectrum, but have not been diagnosed, researchers say. They are in addition to the 500,000 children who are known to be affected.

The study, conducted by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen and colleagues of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, found that the increase was due to better detection and intervention.

This is disputed by a U.S. study at UC Davis, which said that California’s 7- to 8-fold increase was due only in small part by better detection, and stressed that environmental factors must be studied as a possible cause.

So now the opposite sides of the pond, and coasts for that matter, are in dispute.

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