2. • DNA is the basic template that provides the blueprint for the formation
and maintenance of an organism
• DNA is packaged into chromosomes
• Cytogenetics: The study of chromosomes and cell division
• The nucleus of human somatic cells consists of 46 chromosomes,
arranged in 23 pairs
• Autosomes: 22 pairs
• Sex chromosomes: 2 X chromosomes in females
X and Y chromosome in males.
3.
4. • 20,000 chromosomal abnormalities have been registered
• Approximately 1 in 200 newborn infants has some form of chromosomal
abnormality.
• In 50% of first-trimester spontaneous abortions, the fetus has a chromosomal
abnormality
• Abnormalities of chromosomes - a) Numeric abnormalities
b) Structural abnormalities
• May involve one or more autosomes, sex chromosomes or both
simultaneously.
5. NUMERIC ABNORMALITIES
• The normal chromosome count is 46 ( 2n =46).
• Euploid- Any exact multiple of the haploid number (n)
• Polyploid-Chromosome numbers such as 3n and 4n
Polyploidy generally results in a spontaneous abortion.
• Aneuploid- Any number that is not an exact multiple of n
a) Monosomy
b) Trisomy
• Mosaicism - presence of two or more populations of cells with different
complements of chromosomes in the same individual
14. • Incidence at birth – USA 1: 800
• Chromosomal findings – Trisomy 21 ( 95% )
– Robertsonian translocation ( 4% )
– Mosaicism
• Maternal age has a strong influence
on the incidence of Down syndrome.
• Down syndrome is a leading cause of
severe mental retardation
• Approximately 80% of those afflicted
have an IQ of 25 to 50.
17. • Congenital cardiac defects - 40% ( ASD,VSD, AV valve malformations )
• Malformations such as duodenal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula are
more common
• 10 to 20 fold increased risk of developing acute leukemia.
• Alzheimer disease, a degenerative disorder of the brain
• Abnormal immune responses
18. PRENATAL SCREENING
Triple test
• Combined biochemical test - Maternal Serum AFP, hCG and unconjugated
estriol.
• The level of Maternal Serum AFP and Unconjugated estriol tend to be low
while that of hCG is high.
• It is performed at 15–18 weeks. It gives a risk ratio and
For confirmation amniocentesis has to be done.
20. • Incidence - 1 in 15,000 to 25,000 births.
• Associated with increased maternal age
• 20% of the cases are caused by an unbalanced translocation
• The empirical risk that a subsequent live born child will have the syndrome is
less than 2%.
• Clinically severe - about 50% individuals die within the first month.
• Growth retardation and severe mental retardation
25. • Incidence in liveborn infants - 1 in 7500 births
• About 95% are aborted spontaneously.
• Postnatal survival is poor
• Increased maternal age is a factor,
• In 20% of cases, there is a translocation involving chromosome 18
• The trisomy may also be present in mosaic form
• Mental retardation and failure to thrive present
• Hypertonia is a typical finding
26. Prominent occiput
Jaw recedes
The ears are low-set and malformed.
The fists clench in a characteristic way, the second and fifth
digits overlapping the third and fourth
Hypoplastic nails
27. The feet have a “rocker-bottom” appearance, with
prominent calcanei.
• Congenital heart defects
• Urogenital defects
• Limited hip abduction
29. • Male hypogonadism that develops when there are at least 2 X chromosomes
and one or more Y chromosomes.
• Incidence - 1 in 1000 male live births
• Most affected patients have a 47 XXY karyotype
• Variants – 48 XXYY, 48 XXXY, and 49 XXXXY.
• As a rule, the additional X chromosomes cause a correspondingly more
severe phenotype
• Advanced maternal age and a history of irradiation in either parent
• Klinefelter syndrome is the most common cause of hypogonadism in males
30. Hypogonadism
Eunuchoid body habitus
Tall and thin,long legs
Reduced facial body and pubic hair
Testicular atrophy – infertility
Mild mental retardation
Gynaecomastia
31. • Persistent androgen deficiency results in decreased muscle tone, loss of
libido and decreased bone mineral density.
• The risk of breast cancer is 20 to 50 times higher
• Increased risk of extragonadal germ cell tumors and autoimmune diseases
such as systemic lupus erythematosus
33. • Primary hypogonadism in phenotypic females due to partial or complete
monosomy of the short arm of the X chromosome
• Incidence : 1 in 5000 to 1 in 10000 live births
• 99% abort spontaneously.
• 50% patients have 45 X karyotype
• Mosaicism i.e 45X/46XX in 20%
• Intelligence is usually considered to be normal
• The chromosome error leading to loss of a sex chromosome is usually
paternal
34. Swelling of the nape of the neck due to distended
lymphatic channels
Lymphedema of the hands
and feet
36. Short stature
Cubitus valgus
Infantile genitalia
Minimal breast development is minimal
Gonadal dysgenesis (usually streak gonads)
Primary amenorrhoea and infertility
37. • Congenital malformations - horseshoe kidney,
- bicuspid aortic valve
- coarctation of the aorta (15%)
• Cardiovascular abnormalities are the most common cause of death in
childhood.
• Oestrogen replacement therapy should be initiated at adolescence
39. • Incidence - 1 in 1000 female births.
• Mild reduction of IQ present
• Adults are fertile
• Severity of mental retardation proportional to number of extra X
chromosomes
41. • Incidence - 1 in 1000
• Increased risk of educational or behavioural problems in comparison with
chromosomally normal males.
• They have normal intelligence and are not dysmorphic.
• Fertility is usually normal
• IQ scores are about 10 to 15 points below average.
• Attention deficits, hyperactivity and impulsiveness
42. CRI DU CHAT SYNDROME
• Terminal or interstitial deletion of part of the short arm of chromosome
5(5p15)
• Crying infants with this disorder sound like a mewing cat.
• Accounts for about 1% of all institutionalized mentally retarded patients.
• Moderate to severe mental retardation and heart defects