Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review

<b> </b>The objective of this study is to assess the evidence about the demographic transformation of the Down Syndrome population, with a specific focus on prenatal testing, and to identify sources frequently used for demographic assessment of Down Syndrome in the world. We reviewed exi...

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Main Authors: Agustín Huete-García, Mónica Otaola-Barranquero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/1/352
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spelling doaj-c4d1596db78542dbb27ed9873e8f993b2021-01-06T00:04:00ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1661-78271660-46012021-01-011835235210.3390/ijerph18010352Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic ReviewAgustín Huete-García0Mónica Otaola-Barranquero1Institute on Community Integration (INICO), School of Education, University of Salamanca, Paseo de Canalejas 169, 37008 Salamanca, SpainInstitute on Community Integration (INICO), School of Education, University of Salamanca, Paseo de Canalejas 169, 37008 Salamanca, Spain<b> </b>The objective of this study is to assess the evidence about the demographic transformation of the Down Syndrome population, with a specific focus on prenatal testing, and to identify sources frequently used for demographic assessment of Down Syndrome in the world. We reviewed existing studies on demographic transformations in the population with Down Syndrome, specifically birthrate indicators, under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The searches were made in Medline (via EBSCO Host), Academic Search Complete (via EBSCO Host), PsycINFO (via EBSCO Host), Web of Science (Core Collection), Public Health Database (via ProQuest), and The Cochrane Library. The terms were developed through Medical Subject Headings (MESH) and American Psycological Asociation Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms (APA). Full texts were reviewed if information was given regarding location and birthrate for a range of three years or more, and if the first and last year considered was within 1960 and 2019. We found 22 references with a period of study between 1960 and 2019 following the global spread of prenatal testing for Down Syndrome. We found a consistent association between prenatal diagnosis and birthrate, enough to explain the significant fall in the prevalence of Down Syndrome, a somewhat rising incidence of Down Syndrome related to increased maternal age and extension of fertility services in healthcare systems, a generalized use of specific congenital birth defect registries as the primary source of data, and an unclear influence of socio-cultural and territorial variables. Our findings can inform research, policy, and practice to improve the reproductive health and quality of life of the population with Down Syndrome.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/1/352Down Syndromedemographyassessmentincidenceprevalencerights
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Agustín Huete-García
Mónica Otaola-Barranquero
spellingShingle Agustín Huete-García
Mónica Otaola-Barranquero
Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Down Syndrome
demography
assessment
incidence
prevalence
rights
author_facet Agustín Huete-García
Mónica Otaola-Barranquero
author_sort Agustín Huete-García
title Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review
title_short Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review
title_full Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Demographic Assessment of Down syndrome: A Systematic Review
title_sort demographic assessment of down syndrome: a systematic review
publisher MDPI AG
series International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
issn 1661-7827
1660-4601
publishDate 2021-01-01
description <b> </b>The objective of this study is to assess the evidence about the demographic transformation of the Down Syndrome population, with a specific focus on prenatal testing, and to identify sources frequently used for demographic assessment of Down Syndrome in the world. We reviewed existing studies on demographic transformations in the population with Down Syndrome, specifically birthrate indicators, under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The searches were made in Medline (via EBSCO Host), Academic Search Complete (via EBSCO Host), PsycINFO (via EBSCO Host), Web of Science (Core Collection), Public Health Database (via ProQuest), and The Cochrane Library. The terms were developed through Medical Subject Headings (MESH) and American Psycological Asociation Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms (APA). Full texts were reviewed if information was given regarding location and birthrate for a range of three years or more, and if the first and last year considered was within 1960 and 2019. We found 22 references with a period of study between 1960 and 2019 following the global spread of prenatal testing for Down Syndrome. We found a consistent association between prenatal diagnosis and birthrate, enough to explain the significant fall in the prevalence of Down Syndrome, a somewhat rising incidence of Down Syndrome related to increased maternal age and extension of fertility services in healthcare systems, a generalized use of specific congenital birth defect registries as the primary source of data, and an unclear influence of socio-cultural and territorial variables. Our findings can inform research, policy, and practice to improve the reproductive health and quality of life of the population with Down Syndrome.
topic Down Syndrome
demography
assessment
incidence
prevalence
rights
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/1/352
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