What is Trisomy 18? What causes it?
At conception, 23 chromosomes from the father and 23 chromosomes from the mother combine to create a baby with 46 chromosomes in each cell, two of each type. Each chromosome holds a particular “position” in the cell and carries certain genetic material. A trisomy occurs when a baby has three chromosomes in one position instead of the normal two.
Trisomy 18 is the second most common trisomy and occurs when a baby has three of the eighteenth chromosome. This results in 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46 in the affected cells. It is this extra genetic material that causes the problems associated with Trisomy 18.
Trisomy 18 is also called Edward’s syndrome and occurs in about 1:3000 live births. Unlike Down syndrome, Trisomy 18 is usually fatal, with most of the babies dying before birth and those who do make it to birth typically living only a few days. However, based on a study provided through Rockford Memorial, 70 percent of liveborn babies may live up to 1 month, and 10 percent may live up to one year. About 1 percent of babies live up to 10 years.
Most trisomies (about 95%) are full trisomies. That is, the extra chromosome occurs in every cell in the baby’s body.
This type of trisomy is not hereditary, and is not due to anything the parents did or did not do, and it is by far the most common type.
Optional Donations
–Touching Souls Bereavement Photography
Helping to support grieving families whose babies or children die.
www.toddhochberg.com [Click on 'Make a Donation']
–Advocate Charitable Foundation
Bereavement Photography Fund #0657
205 W. Touhy Ave
Park Ridge, IL 60068
–Trisomy 18 Foundation
Support, advocacy and research organization for Trisomy 18
http://www.trisomy18.org
Recent Comments