Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for miscarriages and stillbirths.
Abnormalities can cause significant issues, includingDown Syndromeand other developmental delays or health issues.
In trisomy, individuals have three copies of a chromosome rather than the normal two.
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The exact cause of Patau syndrome is not known; the same is true for VATER Syndrome.
Patau appears to affect females more than males, most likely because male fetuses do not survive until birth.
Patau syndrome, like Down syndrome, is associated with the increased age of the mother.
It may affect individuals of all ethnic backgrounds.
Symptoms
Newborns born with Patau syndrome often have physical abnormalities or intellectual issues.
The prevalence in newborns is one in 5,000; 90% of babies with it die prior to birth.
Patau syndrome may be mistaken for Edwards syndrome, so genetic testing must be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment of Patau syndrome focuses on the particular physical problems with which each child is born.
Surgery may be necessary to repair heart defects or cleft lip and cleft palate.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy will help individuals with Patau syndrome reach their full developmental potential.
Some parents opt for intensive intervention, while others opt to end the pregnancy.
Others will continue the pregnancy and provide continual care for the child’s life.
These decisions are intensely personal and can only be made by you, your partner and your healthcare provider.
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Trisomy 13.Genetic and Rare Diseases.
2023;17(1):34-39. doi:10.22074/IJFS.2022.542511.1220
