Is Down's Syndrome inherited?!
Question: I know that down's syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome, but is does it just randomly happen or could it be inherited in sort of a way? I am just curious b/c my boyfriend's younger brother has Down's syndrome, and I was just wondering if my boyfriend has a chance of carrying the gene or if it would affect his kids if he has any? I am not being rude, I love his little brother! I am just curious...
Answers: I know that down's syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome, but is does it just randomly happen or could it be inherited in sort of a way? I am just curious b/c my boyfriend's younger brother has Down's syndrome, and I was just wondering if my boyfriend has a chance of carrying the gene or if it would affect his kids if he has any? I am not being rude, I love his little brother! I am just curious...
http://www.siblings.it/english/dasapere/...
It depends on the type. There are three types, two of which only depend on the mothers age/health and what goes on during fertilization which is of coarse in natural cases uncontrollable.
"The third form, which is very rare, is partial trisomy 21 due to Robertsonian Translocation, accounts for 2-3% of cases. In this case a part of 21st chromosome breaks up during the cellular division, "moves" and attaches itself to another chromosome, usually the 14th chromosome or the other 21st chromosome. Some extra genetic material is present in both cases. About 2/3rds of translocation occur spontaneously during fertilisation. The translocation is hereditary from one of the two parents in 1/3rd of cases" quoted from the link
I've never head of it being hereditary. It's just one of those things that happens.
Down symdrome is not inherited. It's a genetic malfunction that occurs during conception. Your chances of having a down syndrone child increases if you are over the age of 35.
It does not increase your chances of having a down syndrome child if there is already one in the family.
If you are pregnant and worried about this, the doctor can do tests to ascertain the babies status and enable you to make a decision.
I have a son with translocation 14-21. This type of Down Syndrome can be inherited. You should find out if your boyfriends younger brother has trisomy21, if so you don't have anything to worry about.