A new study published online today in the journal Pediatrics has tracked the prevalence of Down syndrome from 1979 to 2003. Their findings show that cases of Down syndrome present at birth have risen from 9.0 per 10,000 live births in 1979 to 11.8 per 10,000 live births in 2003 -- a jump of 31.1 percent.

The study also determined that in 2002, there were approximately 83,400 children and adolescents in the U.S. who were living with Down syndrome (a rate of 1 in 971).

For more information, you can read the abstract here.

Dr. Brian Skotko, a geneticist at Children's Hospital Boston, has published research showing a decrease in the number of babies being born with Down syndrome since the introduction of prenatal testing. With new prenatal testing options on the horizon, his research highlights the problem between getting test results, and getting accurate information. The test results - either from amniocentesis or CVS - are fairly straightforward. Getting accurate information about the diagnosis of Down syndrome, on the other hand, is far from straightforward.

Dr. Skotko's research found that expectant parents who received a prenatal diagnosis felt that their doctors gave them inaccurate and incomplete information about Down syndrome, and other research has shown that many physicians are uncomfortable and unprepared providing this information.

Dr. Skotko believes:

"Unless improvements are made prior to the arrival of new prenatal tests, a true collision is on its way. More women will be going through the testing process, which could lead to a lot of difficult, uncomfortable conversations between physicians and expectant parents."

Did you receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome? Do you believe that you received accurate information?

Tell Your Prenatal Diagnosis Story

There are a multitiude of reasons why breastmilk is better for a baby, and while a mother may have the best of intentions, babies don't always cooperate. Some infants learn to latch on easily, and others have a much more difficult time.

In particular, babies with Down syndrome often have a difficult time breastfeeding due to hypotonia or low muscle tone, a poor suckling reflex, and more placid and sleepy nature. If you intend to breastfeed your baby with Down syndrome, you may want to checkout the websites below and consider a consultation with a lactation specialist.

About.com's Breastfeeding Guide Site

La Leche League Factsheet

Hypothyroidism - or an underactive thyroid gland - occurs quite frequently in people with Down syndrome. While some infants are born with hypothyroidism, called congenital hypothyroidism, others develop this disorder later in life.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism - decreased growth rate, constipation, lethargy or tiredness, decreased muscle tone and dry skin and hair - can overlap with the symptoms of Down syndrome, making it more difficult to diagnose in this group. Because of this overlap, it is recommended that all people with Down syndrome have regular screening tests to detect this disorder.

More on hypothyroidism and Down syndrome

Does your loved one have a sluggish thyroid? What were their symptoms?