What is Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)?
Having less or more than 46 chromosomes means a person has a chromosome condition. Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosome condition. Most people with DS have 47 chromosomes in their cells. The medical term for Down syndrome is trisomy 21. Those with DS have some degree of intellectual delay and may have other health concerns. For example, congenital heart defects are more seen more often in someone with Down syndrome. The physical and intellectual effects of this extra genetic material vary greatly from person to person. A baby with Down syndrome or other chromosome conditions can be born to any couple. What is known is that the risk increases as a woman ages. What is Trisomy 18? Trisomy 18 is a chromosome (genetic) problem. It is caused by having an extra chromosome 18 in every cell of the body. Babies with trisomy 18 have severe physical and intellectual handicaps and often die before birth or when they are infants. What is a Neural Tube Defect? The neural tube is a part of
Related Questions
- Are women who screen positive for Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or ONTDs in a previous pregnancy eligible for an amniocentesis in their current pregnancy?
- Do the results of prenatal screening provide information other than risk for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects?
- Do the results of serum screening provide information other than risk for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects?
