Micro-CT Imaging of Tracheal Development in Down Syndrome and Non-Down Syndrome Fetuses

This study used micro-computed tomography to compare tracheal morphology between Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome fetuses across different gestational ages. Results showed similar tracheal development between groups until 21 weeks gestation, suggesting that the narrowed trachea commonly observed in Down syndrome children may develop later in pregnancy or result from postnatal intubation trauma rather than early developmental abnormality.