ADOPTION AND FOSTERING OF BABIES WITH DOWN-SYNDROME - A COHORT OF 593CASES

Recently, professionals in France have noticed an increase in newborns with Down syndrome (DS) being placed for adoption. The aim of this st udy was to investigate DS babies given up at birth for adoption and to consider the possible determinants of this in order to assess social acceptance of DS. A retrospective cohort of all living DS babies was c ollected from two birth-defect registries (Paris: 1981-1990; Marseille s area. 1984-1990). Follow-up data were collected: characteristics of the baby, biological parents and maternity units, age when given up fo r adoption, and type of foster care. The results showed that 19.4 per cent of infants with DS (115/593) were rejected by their parents. Mult iple regression analysis indicated that foreign origin of the mother? area of residence, no associated major malformation, maternal age (15- 24 years), and birth rank (>2) variables were significantly associated with a lower placement rate. Among the 115 abandoned infants with DS, 88 came from unknown parentage (76.5 per cent). For half of them, ado ptive placement (88/115) occurred before the age of 6 months. Socio-cu ltural attitudes play a great part in these family decisions. Equally important is the manner in which professionals propose adoption as an alternative to these parents of DS babies. They should be encouraged t o consider all options before making a decision, so that the best solu tion can be found for the interest of all. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.