Genetic Conditions Flashcards
What is the different between phenotype and genotype?
Genotype= the genes that we have Phenotype= the physical expression of the genes that we have
What is mendelian inheritance?
This type of inheritance occurs when there is a disease caused by a single abnormal gene on one of the non sex chromosomes
What is a chromosome disorder?
Conditions where there is either a structural abnormality, an extra abnormal portion or an abnormal number of chromosomes compared to normal.
What is an example of a chromosome deletion disorder?
Cri du chat which presents with a cat like cry
What is a chromosomal duplication disorder?
This occurs where a portion of chromosome is duplicated
What is an example of a chromosomal duplication disorder?
Charcot Marie tooth
Sensory and motor neuropathy soth characteristic high arched feet
What is a translocation disorder?
Occurs where a portion of one chromosome is directly swapped with another chromosome.
The swap can be balanced (reciprocal translocations)
Unbalanced (nonreciprocal translocations) this is where a portion of the chromosome leaves the first chromosome and attaches to another without an exchange taking place.
What does translocation usually cause?
Translocation does not usually lead to a specific genetic syndrome but often predisposes to other conditions such as cancer and infertility
When does the philadelphia chromosome translocation occur?
This is a reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22 and it occurs in acute myeloid leukaemia.
Trisomy is when the person has an extra chromosome, what are the 3 trisomys which you should know about?
Patau syndrome
This is a trisomy 13
Edwards syndrome
This is a trisomy 18
Downs
This is trisomy 21
What is mosaicism?
This is where the chromosomal abnormality actually happens after conception. The abnormality occurs in portions of the cells in the body and not in others and is unpredictable.
What is predictive testing?
Involves testing a person for a specific gene mutation that has implications for them in the future
Ie: BRCA1 gene or the gene for huntingtons
What is karyotyping?
Involves looking at the number of chromosomes, their size and their basic structure
It is useful in diagnosing DOWN syndrome (trisomy 21) and turner syndrome (45XO)
What are the features of downs syndrome?
Hypotonia Brachycephaly (small head with flat back) Single palmar crease Short neck Short stature Flattened face and nose Prominent epicanthic folds Upwards slopping palpebral fissure
What are the complications of downs syndrome?
1 in 3 have heart problems- particularly ASD, VSD, PDA, teratology of fallot
Recurrent otitis media
Deafness
Eye problems- myopia, strabismus, cataracts
Hypothyroidism
Atlantoaxial instability
Leukaemia is more common in children with Downs
Dementia
What is the combined test for downs syndrome?
This involves blood results combined with ultrasound results
Bloods: PAPPA and Beta HCG
Ultrasound: measuring the nuchal translucency (thickness of the back of the neck of the fetus)