Definition

Number of children born with Down syndrome per 10,000 live births to women residing in New Jersey in a specified time interval.

Numerator

Number of children born with Down syndrome among live births to women residing in New Jersey in a specified time interval.

Denominator

Count of all live births to women residing in New Jersey in a specified time interval.

Why Is This Important?

Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) is a chromosomal abnormality characterized by the presence of an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic condition of childhood associated with mental retardation. Maternal age is a major risk factor that increases the chance of conceiving a baby with Down syndrome. At maternal age 20 to 24, the probability of conceiving a child with Down Syndrome is 1 in 1,562; at age 35 to 39 the probability increases to 1 in 214; and above age 45 the probability increases to 1 in 19. However, though the probability of a child being born with Down syndrome increases with maternal age, approximately 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35. There are currently no known environmental factors that are associated with developing Down syndrome.

Available Services

Early Intervention System: The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, implements New Jersey's statewide system of services for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Department of Health (NJDOH) is appointed by the Governor as the state lead agency for the Early Intervention System. [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis] Since 2008, NJEIS has regionalized the system's point of entry for referral of children, birth to age three, with developmental delays and disabilities. Families and health care providers can call 1-888-653-4463 to refer a child to the NJEIS. NJDOH Family Health Services Case Management Units: Each of New Jersey's 21 counties has a Special Child Health Services (SCHS) Case Management Unit. SCHS Case Managers, with parental consent, work with the child's parents and physicians to evaluate an affected child's strengths and needs; and develop an individual service plan for the child and family. Medical, educational, developmental, social and financial needs of the child and family are targeted. NJ Department of Health, Special Child Health and Early Intervention Services, PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364, Phone: (609) 984-0755, website: [http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/sch/] Catastrophic Illness Relief Fund: The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund is a financial assistance program for New Jersey families whose children have serious illnesses or conditions not covered by insurance, state or federal programs, or other funding sources. Contact the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Program: 1-800-335-FUND (3863)

Data Notes

**Counts and rates are suppressed when counts are below 5 due to instability of rates. Observed differences in the frequency of a specific birth defect may be due to random variability.

References and Community Resources

Statewide and county profiles of the most prevalent birth defects can be found at, [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/bdr/datum/] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, [http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/index.html] National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, 8th floo,r New York, New York 10012, 1-800-221-4602 National Down Syndrome Congress, 1370 Center Drive, Suite 102, Atlanta, GA 30338, 800-232-6372, [http://www.ndsccenter.org/]