Trends in the Prevalence of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) in Texas by Maternal Race/Ethnicity and Maternal Age Groups, 1999-2020.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Retrospective population-based registry surveillance study (repeated cross-sectional).
PubMed 40320857 · doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.64109
What was done
Cases of Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) delivered between 1999 and 2020 were identified using the Texas Birth Defects Registry. The authors calculated birth prevalence and crude prevalence ratios stratified by maternal age (<35 vs. 35+ years), race/ethnicity, education level, residence along the Texas–Mexico border, and Texas public health region. Trends over time were evaluated using Joinpoint regression.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data, case counts, or confidence intervals. Down syndrome prevalence was significantly lower among mothers under 35 years old compared to those 35 and older. Higher crude prevalence ratios were found for Hispanic mothers, mothers with less than a high school education, and mothers residing along the Texas–Mexico border. Joinpoint analyses showed significant increases in prevalence over time among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic mothers compared to non-Hispanic White mothers.
Why it matters
This study documents widening racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in Down syndrome birth prevalence over a 21-year surveillance period in Texas.
Limits
No quantitative rates, counts (n), or effect sizes are reported in the abstract. Registry surveillance data may be influenced by unmeasured variations in prenatal screening uptake, diagnostic access, and pregnancy outcomes across racial and socioeconomic groups.
Cited by
- supports Advanced maternal age is an established risk factor for Down syndrome in offspring.