Document Detail


Space-time analysis of Down syndrome: results consistent with transient pre-disposing contagious agent.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18467377     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Whilst maternal age is an established risk factor for Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) and Down syndrome (trisomy 21), the aetiology and contribution of genetic and environmental factors remains unclear. We analysed for space-time clustering using high quality fully population-based data from a geographically defined region. METHODS: The study included all cases of Patau, Edwards and Down syndrome, delivered during 1985-2003 and resident in the former Northern Region of England, including terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. We applied the K-function test for space-time clustering with fixed thresholds of close in space and time using residential addresses at time of delivery. The Knox test was used to indicate the range over which the clustering effect occurred. Tests were repeated using nearest neighbour (NN) thresholds to adjust for variable population density. RESULTS: The study analysed 116 cases of Patau syndrome, 240 cases of Edwards syndrome and 1084 cases of Down syndrome. There was evidence of space-time clustering for Down syndrome (fixed threshold of close in space: P = 0.01, NN threshold: P = 0.02), but little or no clustering for Patau (P = 0.57, P = 0.19) or Edwards (P = 0.37, P = 0.06) syndromes. Clustering of Down syndrome was associated with cases from more densely populated areas and evidence of clustering persisted when cases were restricted to maternal age <40 years. CONCLUSIONS: The highly novel space-time clustering for Down syndrome suggests an aetiological role for transient environmental factors, such as infections.
Authors:
Richard J Q McNally; Judith Rankin; Mark D F Shirley; Stephen P Rushton; Tanja Pless-Mulloli
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2008-05-08
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of epidemiology     Volume:  37     ISSN:  1464-3685     ISO Abbreviation:  Int J Epidemiol     Publication Date:  2008 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-10-03     Completed Date:  2008-11-18     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7802871     Medline TA:  Int J Epidemiol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1169-79     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Clinical Medical Sciences (Child Health), Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Disease Susceptibility
Disease Transmission, Infectious
Down Syndrome / epidemiology*,  etiology
England / epidemiology
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Maternal Age
Population Density
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious*
Space-Time Clustering*
Time Factors
Trisomy
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Department of Health
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Int J Epidemiol. 2008 Oct;37(5):1179-80   [PMID:  18621804 ]

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