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Pregnancy after 35 |
Pregnancy after 35 can pose some special concerns. If your health is good, you should be able to have a successful pregnancy. More common problems that may develop such as diabetes and hypertension can be managed medically.
The specific age related issues are related to increased risk of chromosomal birth defects. The risk of trisomies (three chromosomes instead of two) is increased for chromosomes 13,18 and 21. Down syndrome is trisomy of chromosome 21. The increased risk is gradual with increasing age, but becomes progressively greater after age 35. The approximate risk at age 35 is 1/270, at 40 is 1/100 and at 44 is approximately 1/30. The risk of trisomy 13 and 18 is also increased, but as these birth defects are commonly lethal, they are less well known |
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