New study from the University of Aberdeen
A major new study from the University of Aberdeen has revealed the most comprehensive national picture to date of the number of babies with Down's syndrome in Scotland.
The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, was conducted as part of a Medical Research Scotland-funded PhD in partnership with Public Health Scotland.
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Public Health Scotland analysed national data covering around 1.2 million births across Scotland between 2000 and 2021 and found that Down’s syndrome remains relatively rare, with 2,098 babies diagnosed over the 21-year period. This equates to around 17 babies per 10,000 total births and around nine live born babies per 10,000 live births.
Led by Dr Rute Vieira from the University of Aberdeen, the study examined whether the chance of having a baby with Down’s syndrome differed according to maternal age, NHS health board of residence or area-level deprivation.
Read the full story: New University study reveals long term trends in number of babies with Down's syndrome in Scotland | News | The University of Aberdeen