About this topic
Trisomy 13 is a health problem that your child is born with. It affects your childs heart, brain, and spinal cord. It may also affect your child's eyes, lips, and mouth. Your child may have extra fingers or toes. Your child may have other effects as well. ‚
Trisomy 13 is more common in babies who are born to moms who are over 35 years old. It is a genetic problem and may be found with special testing while you are pregnant. ‚
What are the causes?
Trisomy 13 is caused by being born with an extra 13th chromosome. ‚
What are the main signs?
Babies with trisomy 13 may have many problems. They may have problems like: ‚
- Heart defects
- Abnormal brain development and severe developmental delays
- Small head with low set ears and small eyes
- Weak muscle tone
- Trouble eating and gaining weight
- Cleft lip or cleft palate
- Extra fingers or toes
- Seizures
- Skeleton or limb abnormalities
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
This condition is often found on an ultrasound when a woman is pregnant. This may lead to genetic testing while the woman is still pregnant. If Trisomy 13 is not found until after a baby is born, the doctor will take your childs history and do an exam. The doctor may order: ‚
- X-rays
- Echocardiogram
- Genetic testing
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your childs care is based on their signs. There is no cure for Trisomy 13. Most children with this condition die within the first year of life. ‚
Are there other health problems to treat?
Complications may include deafness, visual problems, and heart failure. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Nothing can be done to prevent the problem. If you have a family history of Trisomy 13, you may want to have genetic testing to learn more about the illness. Counseling may be helpful if you wish to have other children. ‚
Helpful tips
- Join a support group. Talking with people who have the same illness may help make coping easier.
- Tell your family about your childs illness and how they can help.
Where can I learn more?
National Genetics and Genomics Education Centre ‚
http://www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk/genetic-conditions-54/691-patau-syndrome-new ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/218/viewFullReport ‚
Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13 and Related Disorders ‚
http://trisomy.org/?page_id=15711 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚