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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 6

Written Answers. - Health Research Board Survey.

Tomás MacGiolla

Question:

31 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the recent Health Research Board survey, which showed that the incidence of children being born with Down's Syndrome in the Eastern Health Board area is among the highest in Europe; if it is intended to undertake any research into the cause of this; if any preventative measures are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Health Research Board's recently published report on the surveillance of congenital anomalies in the Eastern Health Board region for the period 1980 to 1987.

This report was prepared by the Health Research Board in connection with their participation in EUROCAT, an EC concerted action programme which compiles information on a range of congenital anomalies, including Down's Syndrome, from 18 individual registries throughout Europe.

In interpreting the EUROCAT findings it is important to take into account that the risk of having a Down's Syndrome baby increases with the age of motherhood. As Ireland has a relatively high proportion of births to mothers aged over 35 years, the incidence of the syndrome would be expected to be higher than in countries where the pattern of age at motherhood is different.

However, EUROCAT also provides data on the incidence of the syndrome in each maternal age group in respect of the individual registries. Data from these show that the prevalence rates by maternal age group of Down's Syndrome in the Eastern Health Board region are not particularly high. For example, in the age group for mothers less than 20 years, the Eastern Health Board rate — 4.3 per 10,000 births — was exceeded by ten of the 18 registries providing information. In the age group for mothers older than 40 years, the Eastern Health Board rate of 150.8 per 10,000 births was exceeded by five of the 18 registries.

My Department's health promotion unit publishes material on preparing for pregnancy. This information is being updated at present. The new version will advise prospective mothers that the risk of having a Down's Syndrome baby increases with the age of the mother.

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