Chromosomal syndromes - trisomy 13/18/21, Noonan, Prader-Willi, Turner, Klinefelter Flashcards
Chromosomal syndromes (incl. trisomy 13 (Patau), 18 (Edwards), 21 (Down), Noonan, Prader-Willi, Turner, Klinefelter)
What is the cause of Down’s syndrome?
Trisomy 21 makes up 94% of cases (in 88% the extra copy is derived from the mother due to non-dysjunction)
Partial trisomy or mosaicism(2,4%) can also occur. Translocation (3.3%)can also cause Down’s whereby the long arm of chr 21 is moved to chr 14 or 22.
How common is Down’s syndrome?
Most common genetic disorder affecting 1 in 650-1000
What are the risk factors for Down’s syndrome?
- Family history
- Maternal age is the strongest risk factor
Statistics:
- 0.84 per 1,000 for ages 25-29.
- 1.48 per 1,000 for ages 30-34.
- 4.72 per 1,000 for ages 35-39.
- 15.22 per 1,000 for ages 40-44.
- 30.71 per 1,000 for 45 years and older.
What are the presenting features of Down’s syndrome?
General:
- hyperflexibility
- hypotonia
- transient myelodysplasia in newborn
Head and neck:
- bradycephaly
- oblique/upgoing palpebral fissures
- epicanthic folds
- Brushfield spots - iris speckles
- abnormal ears
- flat nasal bridge
- loose skin on nape of neck
Mouth:
- protruding tongue (small narrow palate)
- high arched palate
Hands:
- single palmar crease
- short little finger
- in-curved little finger
- short broad hands
Feet:
- gap between hallux and second toes
Congenital heart disease
Duodenal atresia
What gastorintestinal disoders are associated with Down’s syndrome?
- Oesophageal atresia or tracheo-oesophageal fistula.
- Duodenal atresia.
- Pyloric stenosis.
- Meckel’s diverticulum.
- Hirschsprung’s disease.
- Imperforate anus.
- GORD
Describe the neurological and psychiatric disorders found in Down’s syndrome.
- Learning difficulties - but range from severe to ‘low normal’ IQ
- Behavioural problems
- Seizures in 5-10%
*
What problems with immune function occur in Down’s syndrome?
12x greater risk of infection due to impaired cellular immunity (e.g. pneumonia)
Increased risk of AML and ALL
Polycythaemia regressing within 2 months may occur in newborns
What screening should be done for those with Down’s syndrome?
- Cardiac - 50% have congenital heart defects
- Feeding - marked hypotonia
- Vision and hearing - check red reflex for congenital cataracts, 90% have any type of hearing loss and are susceptible to otitis media, sinusitis and pharyngitis.
- Thyroid - hypothyroidism common
- Haematological - risk of transient myeloproliferative disorder, polycythaemia, leukaemoid reaction
What orthopaedic problems occur in Down’s syndrome?
- Atlanto-axial instability - few need treatment unless problems
- Hyperflexibility
- Scoliosis
- Hip dislocation
- Patellar subluxation/dislocation
- Foot deformities
Wha are the late complications of Down’s syndrome?
- subfertility: males are almost always infertile due to impaired spermatogenesis. Females are usually subfertile, and have an increased incidence of problems with pregnancy and labour
- learning difficulties
- short stature
- repeated respiratory infections (+hearing impairment from glue ear)
- acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
- hypothyroidism
- Alzheimer’s disease
- atlantoaxial instability
What is the prognosis with Down’s syndrome?
Survival dramatically increased in last few decades (due to CHD repair) from 10yr in 1970s to mid-50s now.
Leading cause of death are respiratory infections and cardiac causes. Dementia common after age 40yrs. Malignancy risk is low in all age groups apart from leukaemia.
What are the key features of Cri du Chat syndrome?
- (chromosome 5p deletion syndrome)
- Characteristic cry (hence the name) due to larynx and neurological problems
- Feeding difficulties and poor weight gain
- Learning difficulties
- Microcephaly and micrognathism
- Hypertelorism (large distance between eyes)
What are the key features of William’s syndrome?
- Short stature
- Learning difficulties
- Friendly, extrovert personality
- Transient neonatal hypercalcaemia
- Supravalvular aortic stenosis
What are the key features of Fragile X?
- Learning difficulties
- Macrocephaly
- Long face
- Large ears
- Macro-orchidism
What are the key features of Pierre-Robin syndrome? What is it similar to?
- *
- Micrognathia
- Posterior displacement of the tongue (may result in upper airway obstruction)
- Cleft palate
*this condition has many similarities with Treacher-Collins syndrome. One of the key differences is that Treacher-Collins syndrome is autosomal dominant so there is usually a family history of similar problems
A 14-year-old girl presents to her GP due to developmental concerns. She is the shortest girl in her class and has failed to start menstruating. On examination she has cubitus valgus and low-set ears.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Turner’s syndrome
What kind of murmur are you most likely to hear in Turner’s syndrome?
Ejection systolic murmur - due to the bicuspid aortic valve causing AORTIC STENOSIS(ESM)
How common is Turner’s syndrome?
1 in 2,500 females
What is the genetic basis of Turner’s syndrome?
45,XO or 45,X
Single X or the deletion of the short arm of one of the X chromosome
What is the presentation of Turner’s syndrome?
- Short stature
- High-arched palate
- Webbed neck
- Shield chest, widely spaced nipples
- Short fourth metacarpal
- Multiple pigmented naevi
What are the medical features of Turner’s syndrome?
Cardiac:
- Bicuspid aortic valve (15%)
- Coarctation of the aorta (5-10%)
- Lymphoedema in neonates (especially feet)
Endocrine:
- hypothyroidism
- elevated gonadotrophin levels
- primary amenorrhoea
Renal:
- Horseshoe kidney
Neurological:
- Cystic hygroma (prenatally diagnosed)
Dermatological:
- Multiple pigmented naevi
What autoimmune diseases are patients with Turner’s syndrome at risk of?
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Crohn’s disease