Maternal meiosis II nondisjunction in trisomy 21 is associated with maternal low socioeconomic status.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated whether the association of socioeconomic risk factors for trisomy 21 differed by type of maternal meiotic error.


METHODS
We determined meiotic errors by DNA analysis for 150 trisomy 21 cases, and maternal lifetime exposures to low socioeconomic factors by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mothers of meiosis II cases were significantly more likely to be exposed to four low socioeconomic factors than mothers of meiosis I cases (odds ratio = 9.50; 95% confidence interval = 1.8-49.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal lifetime exposure to poor socioeconomic environment is a risk factor for a trisomy 21, particularly if nondisjunction leads to a maternal meiosis II.
Christianson
Roberta E
RE
Child Health and Development Studies, Berkeley, California, USA.
Sherman
Stephanie L
SL
Torfs
Claudine P
CP
D002140:California; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009035:Mothers; D009630:Nondisjunction, Genetic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires