[Announcing the trisomy 21 diagnosis and care of the infant in the maternity ward: counseling offered to the parents].

Which solutions to child care are proposed to parents just after the diagnosis of Down's syndrome? The situation of Down's syndrome babies born in 1980-89 and abandoned at birth in Paris was studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical and social staffs of 13 maternity hospitals where 60% of these DS babies were abandoned. In 10 years, 102 DS babies were given up to the Child Welfare Agency and to private adoption agencies. They represent 10% of all abandoned children at birth and 22% of DS live births in Paris. Relations between abandonment, type of maternity hospital and social class of parents are analysed. Several factors influence the parents' decision in planning for the child: handicap, advice and way of presenting alternatives: in 1/3 of the cases, adoption was proposed directly. In the great majority, the child abandonment was decided in a situation of emergency and profound emotional stress, and outside of the legal procedure. Health care workers should listen to parents more so they can be better informed about their child's prognosis and all care alternatives before making their decision.