Question

If a woman in her late forties wants to have a baby and seeks medical advice, she would most likely be advised that she is at much greater risk of having a baby with Down syndrome.

Select one:
a. TRUE
b. FALSE

Answer 1

The statement is true as the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome increases with maternal age due to higher chances of chromosomal nondisjunction during cell division in older women.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that a woman in her late forties seeking to have a baby is at much greater risk of having a baby with Down syndrome is TRUE. With increasing age, women are at increased risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome, more specifically, trisomy 21. This condition, also known as 47 XY +21, is due to the nondisjunction of chromosomes during cell division. As women age, the likelihood of these errors during cell division increases, which in turn increases the risk of conceiving a child with Down syndrome. It is important to recognize that while Down syndrome does come with certain intellectual and physical challenges, such as intellectual disability, vision problems, and heart conditions, individuals with Down syndrome can lead fulfilling lives and become contributing members of society.