Genetic Diseases and Syndromes Flashcards
What is the most common chromosomal abnormality in live births?
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).
What are the prenatal tests used to screen for Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)?
Quad screen (maternal serum AFP, estriol, hCG, inhibit-alpha). Nuchal translucency
What chromosomal abnormalities increase incidence with advancing maternal age?
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) Age 35 1:400 Age 45 1:35 Trisomy 18 (Edward syndrome) Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
Describe Down syndrome.
Gamete has two copies of chromosome 21-leads to trisomy when fertilized.
Cause of 95% of Down syndrome cases (4% due to Robertsonian translocation).
Prevelance: 1/500 pregnancies.
Chromosome studies only indicated if trisomy was due to an unbalanced translocation.
What is the most common non-lethal trisomy?
Down syndrome (trisomy 21).
Describe the phenotypic traits of Down syndrome.
Intellectual disability Characteristic facial appearance. 40% cardiac defects. 75% hearing loss. >50% visual problems. 7% GI defects. Single transverse palmer crease. Increased social skills in childhood. 1/2 adults with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer disease.
What is another name for Trisomy 18.
Edwards syndrome
What is the popcorn for Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)?
Club foot (rocker bottom feet).
What is the second most common autosomal trisomy after trisomy 21 that goes to full term?
Trisomy 18 (Edward’s syndrome).
Describe trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome).
Usually caused by three copies of chromosome 18, but translocation can occur.
IUGR.
Many die before birth or in first month.
What are the characteristics of Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)?
Kidney, GI, heart defects. Developmental delay. Club foot (rocker bottom feet). Low set heart, small jaw. 2% 1 year survival rate.
What is another name for Trisomy 13?
Patau syndrome.
What are the characteristics of Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)?
Severe intellectual disability. Many physical abnormalities. Cleft lip/palate. Seizures. Small jaw. Polydactyly. Heart defects. Brain/spinal cord abnormalities. Many children die within first days or weeks of life.
Describe the Etiology of Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome).
Most cases are from three copies of chromosome 13.
Some caused by Robertsonian translocation involving chromosomes 13 and 14 when part of chromosome 13 gets attached to chromosome 14 during formation of gametes. Affected people have 2 normal copies of 13 plus an extra copy attached to another chromosome.
Describe Cri-Du-Chat syndrome.
deletion of part of short arm of chromosome 5.
Partial monosomy.
Most cases are from spontaneous mutation.
Define partial monosomy.
when only a portion of a chromosome has one copy instead of two.
Describe the characteristics of Cri-Du-Chat syndrome.
Cat-like cry of affected children due to abnormal larynx development.
Intellectual disability.
Wide set eyes.
Low ears.
How can Cri-Du-Chat syndrome be detected?
In utero with CVS.
Describe Klinefelter’s Syndrome.
Extra X chromosome. 47 total chromosomes. XXY. Occurs at gametogenesis. Accounts for many 1st trimester losses.
Describe the characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Affects male physical and cognitive development.
Physical traits become more apparent after puberty.
Hypogonadism, infertility.
Gynecomastia, reduces hair.
What is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy in males?
Klinefelter’s syndrome.
XXY.
Describe Turner syndrome.
45X, affects development in females.
Monosomy. Only one X.
What is the popcorn for Turner syndrome?
Gonadal dysgenesis (non-functional ovaries).
What are the characteristics of Turner syndrome?
Gonadal dysgenesis. Short stature. Broad chest. Webbed neck. Amenorrhea. Infertility. Cardiovascular abnormalities.
Describe Huntington’s Disease.
Neurodegenerative disease-progressive brain disorder.
Autosomal dominant.
Increased anticipation.
HD gene on chromosome 4 that codes for a protein called huntingtin (CAG trinucleotide repeat). >35 repeats=HD.
Abnormal protein causes microscopic deposits of protein in neurons.
Most often inherited but can occur spontaneously.
What are the early signs of Huntington’s disease?
Depression
Irritability
Poor coordination
Trouble learning
Describe adult onset Huntington’s disease.
Genetic defect is latent for 3-5 decades, then manifests as progressive neuronal dysfunction.
What are the characteristics of Huntington’s disease?
Causes uncontrolled jerky movements (chorea), emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability, changes in personality.
What is the average time from symptom onset to death in Huntington’s disease?
15 years.
What referral should be make for Huntington’s patients?
Offspring of HD parents should be offered genetic counseling.
What is the only human disorder of complete dominance?
Huntington’s disease.
Heterozygotes are just as affected clinically as homozygotes.
Describe Alzheimers disease.
Neurodegenerative disease.
Usually begins after age 60; risk increases with age.
Death usually occurs within 10 years.
People with parent, sibling, or child with AD are at increased risk.
What is the most common form of dementia in older individuals?
Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia:
65% from Alzheimer’s
35% vascular in nature
What is the pathophysiology pf Alzheimer’s disease?
Loss of cholinergic neurons in brain (loss of acetylcholine).
Formation of plaques and tangles.
Atrophy of brain.
Resultant effect-blocked communication.
Describe the mode of inheritance of Alzheimers disease.
Several gene mutations cause predisposition to AD.
What are the clinical manifestations of Alzheimers disease?
Progressive mental deterioration: memory loss, confusion, disorientation.
What is the popcorn for Alzheimers disease?
Formation of plaques and tangles in the brain.
What are the 2 forms of Alzheimers disease?
Familial (early onset).
Sporadic (late onset).
Describe familial Alzheimer’s disease (early onset AD).
Many members of multiple generations affected.
Symptoms start before age 65.
Mutations on chromosomes 1, 14, or 21.
Induced formation of a sticky protein that forms clumps in the brain.
Rare- <5% of cases of AD.
Autosomal dominant: 50% of inheritance.
Describe sporadic Alzheimers disease (late onset).
Usually develops after 65.
Accounts for most cases of AD.
One gene has been shown to increase risk: chromosome 19 apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene.
Not everyone carrying the gene develops disease.
What is a definitive diagnosis for Alzheimers disease?
Autopsy-plaques and tangles.
What are the risk factors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome?
Gender
Age
Family history