Edwards syndrome
26-02-2024
1 min read
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Overview:
Researchers have reported chromosomal disorders discovered from prehistoric skeletal remains, dating up to approximately 5,500 years old — including six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome.
About Edwards syndrome
- It is also known as trisomy 18.
- It is an autosomal chromosomal disorder due to an extra copy of chromosome 18.
- It is a very severe genetic condition that affects child’s body development and growth.
- Symptoms: Children diagnosed with trisomy 18 have a low birth weight, multiple birth defects and defining physical characteristics.
- There are three types of Edwards syndrome
- Complete trisomy 18:
- It is the most common form (94%).
- In this type, every cell contains three complete copies of chromosome 18.
- The extra chromosome is most often of maternal origin.
- Mosaic trisomy 18:
- It is the second most common type (less than 5%).
- In this type, both a complete trisomy 18 and a normal cell line exist.
- Partial trisomy 18:
- In this type, only a partial segment of chromosome 18 is present in triplicate.
- The partial triplicate often results from a balanced translocation or inversion carried by one of the parents.
- Treatment: There are no specific treatments for trisomy 18. Treatment will focus on the symptoms of the condition, such as heart conditions, breathing difficulties and infections.
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Q1) What is Chromosome?
Chromosomes are threadlike structures made of protein and a single molecule of DNA that serve to carry the genomic information from cell to cell. In plants and animals (including humans), chromosomes reside in the nucleus of cells.
Source: Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome found in ancient individuals