[Variations in the prevalence of Down's syndrome in the French population between 1978 and 2005].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of maternal age and prenatal diagnosis on the prevalence of Down's syndrome at birth in French population sample.


METHODS
Data concerning Down's syndrome from 1978 to 2005 were obtained from the REMERA registry of congenital malformations. The population surveyed was approximately 10% of French births. We studied total prevalence, live-birth prevalence and the prevalence of pregnancy termination after prenatal diagnosis.


RESULTS
Mean maternal age has risen from 26 to 30 years over the study period. Total prevalence of Down's syndrome has increased from 14 per 10,000 in 1978 to 23 per 10,000 live-births in 2005. Termination of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of Down's syndrome gradually increased reaching 78% in 2005. Live-birth prevalence decreased from 14 per 10,000 in 1978 to 5.1 per 10,000 in 2005.


CONCLUSIONS
This work shows the importance of continuing the epidemiological survey of Down's syndrome in France, especially because of the modification in population ageing as well in prenatal screening policies for Down's syndrome.
Rousseau
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Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, médecine foetale et reproduction humaine, CHU de Dijon, rue de Professeur-Marion, BP 77908, 21079 Dijon cedex, France. thierry.rousseau@chu-dijon.fr
Amar
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E
Ferdynus
C
C
Thauvin-Robinet
C
C
Gouyon
J-B
JB
Sagot
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P
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D050498:Live Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult