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Introduction. down syndrome is the result of trisomy 21, the most common cause of mental retardation worldwide.
Objective. to determine if paternal age, maternal age and parity, the use of oral contraceptives, family history of Alzheimer, consanguinity, maternal thyroid diseases and maternal consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine are risk factors for Down's syndrome.
Methods. case study and control (1:2); cases were children with clinical diagnosis of Down syndrome born in Santo Tomas Hospital and treated in Hospital del Niño between January 2002 and December 2004. As controls we used healthy children born in Santo Tomas Hospital during the same period. To determine the risk factors associated with Down's syndrome, personal interviews with the mothers were conducted.
Results. risk factor associated with Down's syndrome was maternal age >35 years (OR: 16,33; CI. (95 %) =3,55-86,14). Paternal age >35 years (OR = 5,73; CI (95 %) = 1,81-1 8,68) and maternal parity of more than five children (OR =12,38; CI(95 %) =1,26-297,72) were also associated with Down's syndrome. However, this association disappeared in all age groups, except when it was associated with a maternal age above 35 years. The other factors did not show any association with Down's syndrome.
Discussion. maternal age above 35 years increases the risk of Down's syndrome. This supports current theories about Down's syndrome pathogenesis.
Conclusion. maternal age above 35 years increases the risk of Down's syndrome.
