Trisomy 18 - Edward's Syndrome
What is Trisomy 18?
Trisomy 18 or Edward's Syndrome is a relatively common syndrome caused by the presence of an extra number 18 chromosome, which leads to multiple
abnormalities including severe mental retardation, digestive problems, heart failure, renal failure, respiratory failure, blindness, deafness and
extreme physical limitations.
Infants often have a low birth weight, a small, abnormally shaped head; a small jaw and mouth, clenched fists with overlapping fingers, severe
heart defects, and renal abnormalities. Approximately 95% of fetus' with trisomy 18 are miscarried or stillborn. Most children born with this
defect die within their first month. The high mortality rate is usually due to the presence of cardiac, renal malformations, and feeding problems.
For more information on this disorder please visit:
eMedicine WebMD
Genetic Home Referrence U.S. National Library of Medicine
Trisomy 18 Org. Trisomy 18 Foundation
MedlinePlus A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine from the National Institutes of Health