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Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
DES was a drug that was prescribed for nausea and pregnancy symtoms between 1938 and 1971. The daughters born to these women were affected by the DES they absorbed in utero. Many of them have a risk of 1 in 1,000 for a rare cervical cancer. DES daughters are at increased risk for infertility, an abnormally shaped uterus, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labor, and miscarriage.

The folks working here at HighRisk.org never realized that DES was prescribed by doctors for so long (almost 40 years!). We only thought it was a few years.

For more information about DES, take a look at the Center for Disease Control and DES Action USA.

Down syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. With Down syndrome, as the baby is formed an extra third chromosome is attached to chromosome 21. The three attached chromosomes are known as trisomy 21. Down syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause of mild to moderate mental retardation and associated medical problems. For every 800 live babies born, one baby is born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome can be detected before birth using first or second trimester genetic tests.

For more information about Down syndrome, take a look at the National Down Syndrome Society, National Association for Down Syndrome, and Medline Plus.

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