Relinquishment of infants with Down syndrome in Israel: trends by time.
To assess factors affecting parental relinquishment of infants with Down syndrome, we conducted a nationwide cohort study of infants with Down syndrome who were born in Israel during 1979-1983 and 1987-1991. Overall relinquishment rate was 25%. Major factors affecting relinquishment were mother's age, birth order, infant's health status, and study periods. A decision to relinquish a newborn infant in the hospital is probably based on a combination of several parameters, such as the economic status of the family, social mores, and religious beliefs.
Sadetzki
S
S
Tel-Aviv University Medical School, Israel. siegals@gertner.health.gov.il
Chetrit
A
A
Akstein
E
E
Keinan
L
L
Luxenburg
O
O
Modan
B
B
D001290:Attitude; D002676:Child, Unwanted; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008423:Maternal Age; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005791:Patient Care / Q000639:trends*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors