home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today 1996 January
/
CD-ROM Today 1996 January.iso
/
dp
/
0429
/
04291.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
6KB
|
182 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK04291}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Trisomy 13 Syndrome}
$Subject{Trisomy 13 Syndrome Patau's Syndrome Trisomy 13-15 Syndrome D Trisomy
Syndrome }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
218:
Trisomy 13 Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Trisomy 13 Syndrome) is not
the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Patau's Syndrome
Trisomy 13-15 Syndrome
D Trisomy Syndrome
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Trisomy 13 Syndrome is a genetic disorder which occurs in approximately 1
in 5,000 live births. It is characterized by midline anomalies, gross
defects of the brain, and cleft lip and/or cleft palate in most cases.
Symptoms
Infants affected with Trisomy 13 Syndrome tend to be small at birth. Spells
of interrupted breathing (apnea) in early infancy are frequent, and mental
retardation is usually severe. Many affected children appear to be deaf. A
moderately small head (microcephaly) with sloping forehead, wide joints, and
openings between the parietal bones of the head are present. Gross anatomic
defects of the brain, especially failure of the forebrain to divide properly
(holoprosencephaly), are common. A hernial protrusion of the cord and its
meninges through a defect in the vertebral canal (myelomeningocele) is found
in almost 50% of cases.
The entire eye is usually small (microphthalmia), and a defect of the
iris tissue (coloboma), and faulty development of the retina (retinal
dysplasia) occur frequently. The supraorbital ridges are shallow and
palpebral fissures are usually slanted. Cleft lip, cleft palate, or both are
present in most cases. The ears are abnormally shaped and unusually low-set.
A single transverse crease on the palm, extra fingers and toes
(polydactyly), and hyperconvex narrow fingernails are common. The fingers
tend to be flexed, but not in the characteristic manner seen in Trisomy 18
Syndrome. The feet show posterior prominence of the heel, and there may be a
rocker-bottom foot.
Approximately 80% of cases show the following additional congenital
anomalies:
1. An opening in the ventricular septum of the heart (ventricular septal
defect)
2. Persistent blood vessel connecting the aorta to the pulmonary artery
(patent ductus arteriosus)
3. An opening in the septum between the two atria in the heart (atrial
septal defect)
4. Abnormalities in the pulmonary and/or aortic valves.
(For more information on specific heart anomalies, see articles in the
Rare Disease Database.)
Location of the heart in the right side of the chest (dextrocardia) is
common as well.
Tumors made up of newly formed capillary blood vessels (capillary
hemangiomas), especially on the forehead in the midline, may also be present.
Other midline defects include dermal sinuses on the scalp and loose folds of
skin over the back of the neck.
The genitalia are frequently abnormal in both sexes. Failure of the
testes to descend into the scrotum (cryptorchidism) and abnormally developed
scrotum may occur in males. A uterus with horn-shaped branches (bicornuate)
sometimes occurs in females.
Hematologically, there is an increased frequency of nuclear projections
in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a persistence of fetal hemoglobin.
Causes
An additional chromosome 13 causes the abnormalities of this genetic,
developmental disorder, Trisomy 13 Syndrome.
Affected Population
Trisomy 13 Syndrome occurs in one in 5,000 live births. Males and females of
all nationalities and races are affected equally.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment for Trisomy 13 Syndrome is symptomatic and supportive. Special
education, physical therapy and other medical, social, or vocational services
are of benefit to the patient, and are often necessary for the child to reach
his/her full potential.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
December 1988. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Trisomy 13 Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Support Organization for Trisomy 18/13 (SOFT 18/13)
National Headquarters
4625 Lindell Blvd., Suite 501
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 367-0055
S.O.F.T. Canada Inc.
1214 Concession 5 West
RR2 Waterdown, Ontario LOR 2H2
(416) 659-3216
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5133
Association for Retarded Citizens of the U.S.
P.O. Box 6109
Arlington, TX 76005
(817) 640-0204
(800) 433-5255
Mental Retardation Association of America
211 East 300 South, Suite 212
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 328-1575
In Touch
10 Norman Road
Sale, Cheshire
M33 3DF
Hants, England
For information on genetics and genetic counseling referrals, please
contact:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
SMITH'S RECOGNIZABLE PATTERNS OF HUMAN MALFORMATION, 4th ed., Kenneth L.
Jones, M.D., W.B. Saunders, Co. 1988. Pp. 20-5.