Prenatal Genetics Flashcards
Specific segments of DNA that are required for the production of a functional product.
Gene
Structural units consisting of chromatin and DNA that transmit genetic material from parent to offspring
Chromosome
structure, number, and inheritance, in relation to medical genetics.
Approximately 1:160 live births results in a chromosome abnormality, while approximately 1:2 spontaneous miscarriages results from a chromosome abnormality.
Chromosome disorders account for a substantial subset of prenatal, pediatric and adult complications, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, unusual facial characteristics and other dysmorphic features, cognitive deficiencies, and tumor development.
Clinical Cytogenetics
•___= Normal number of chromosomes
_____ = Most human somatic (body) cells carry two copies of each chromosome.
23 chromosomes x 2 = 46 chromosomes (2n = 46)
Euploid
Diploid
Reproductive cells carry half of the chromosomes within a somatic cell: 46 chromosomes / 2 = 23 chromosomes (n = 23)
Haploid
• A numerical deviation involving an exact multiple of the haploid number (n = 23).
- Triploid (69 chromosomes)
- Tetraploid (92 chromosomes)
Polyploid
• A numerical deviation not involving an exact multiple of the haploid
number (n = 23).
• Trisomy 18 (47 chromosomes) • Monosomy (45 chromosomes)
Aneuploid
(3n) is a euploid complement of the standard diploid (2n) chromosome number, in which there is a third extra set of chromosomes equally 69 chromosomes instead of 46.
*occurs in 1-3% of pregnancies; however, it is lethal in virtually all cases. The prognosis depends on the parent of origin contributing to the extra set of chromosomes.
Triploidy
extra set of chromosomes of MATERNAL origin
small placenta
often spontaenous abort
• Digynic triploidy
Extra set of paternal chromosomes, type of triploidy
enlarged placenta while the fetus often is not growth restricted. This is referred to as a partial hydatidiform mole.
Diandric pregnancy
Risk associated with diandric triploidy
the risk to the fetus, women with partial molar pregnancies are at risk for severe early onset preeclampsia, hyperthyroidism, multiple theca lutein cysts, and gestational trophoblastic disease.
risk factors of aneuploidy
- The risk for aneuploidy increases with maternal age.
- Defined as 35 years of age or older at the estimated date of
delivery (EDD) in a singleton pregnancy.
- The risk of Down syndrome at live birth is 1:385 for a woman who is 35 at the EDD, while the risk for any major aneuploidy at live birth is 1:204 at this age.
- In a twin pregnancy, advanced maternal age is defined as 33 years of age or older at the EDD. This risk of Down syndrome is 1:347 for at least one twin, while the risk for any major chromosome abnormality is 1:176 at the EDD.
• Cognitive deficiencies, vision problems, hearing loss, thyroid dysfunction, increased risk for early onset dementia or cancer, and congenital anomalies (i.e. heart malformations, gastrointestinal abnormalities). The prevalence is 1:800 live births.
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
Limited to severe psychomotor delays, growth restriction, microcephaly, micrognathia, distinctive hand/finger posturing and rocker bottom feet, and congenital anomalies (i.e. heart malformations, omphalocele, oral clefting, clubfoot). The prevalence is 1:3,000 live births
Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
• Limited to severe psychomotor delays, microphthalmia, polydactyly, and congenital anomalies (i.e. oral clefting, holoprosencephaly, brain abnormalities, heart malformations, diaphragmatic hernia). The prevalence is 1:10,000 live births.
Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
Growth retardation, infertility with only 5% of patients experiencing spontaneous menstruation, hearing loss, possible cognitive disabilities, and congenital anomalies (i.e. heart malformations, cystic hygroma, horseshoe kidney and other renal abnormalities). The prevalence is 1:2,500 live born females.
Monosomy X (Turner syndrome)
Tall/lean build, infertility, slightly delayed motor and language milestones, possible cognitive disabilities, increased risk to develop extragonadal germ cell tumors, male breast cancer, autoimmune disorders. The prevalence is 1:500-1,000 live born males.
XXY syndrome (Klinefelter syndrome)
Chromosome material is exchanged equally (balanced) or unequally (unbalanced).
Reciprocal translocation