Fresh hope for babies with Down's

By Carla Bevan  on Thursday 27 November 2008

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New research offers hope for parents who discover their unborn child has Down's syndrome after scientists successfully treated some of the symptoms in baby mice.

Although the experiments are in their very early stages, the news will be welcomed by Down's syndrome campaigners.

Down's syndrome occurs when children inherit an extra copy of one of the body's chromosomes. This, in turn, can lead to learning difficulties, heart problems and developmental issues.

However, when the scientists in America injected mice who were pregnant with 'Down's pups' with certain proteins, they appeared as able as non-Down's mice once born.

First published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the report is followed up in the current issue of New Scientist. However, the researchers point out that success with mice does not necessarily equal success with humans.

'We welcome research that may have a positive impact on people with Down's syndrome,' Carol Boys, of the Down's Syndrome Association, told the publication.

'However, it must be recognised that this research doesn't herald a "cure" or "treatment" for Down's syndrome. We'll be following how it develops with great interest.'

Thursday 27 November 2008

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