Related Terms

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Background

• In the cell, genetic material is contained in discrete units of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) called chromosomes. Normal human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes - 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes (autosomes) and one pair of sex chromosomes. Trisomies are genetic abnormalities where instead of a normal pair of chromosomes, three copies of a chromosome are present. Trisomies can occur in either sex chromosomes or autosomes.
• Trisomy 13 is a severe and often lethal genetic disorder that occurs in individuals who carry three copies of chromosome 13 in their cells. Trisomy 13 is the third most common autosomal trisomy in newborns, after Down's syndrome (trisomy 21) and Edwards' syndrome (trisomy 18). It is estimated that trisomy 13 occurs in 0.02-0.005% of newborns, or one out of every 5,000-20,000 live births.
• Thomas Bartholin first described the developmental defects that are typical of trisomy 13 in 1656. However, the underlying genetic cause was not discovered until 1960, when Klaus Patau characterized the trisomic nature of the disease. Thus, trisomy 13 is sometimes called Patau syndrome, Bartholin-Patau syndrome, or 13+ syndrome.
• A significant proportion of trisomy 13 pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or stillbirth. Of the trisomy 13 live births, the median survival time is 7-10 days, and the vast majority (90-95%) of affected patients die within one year. Survival times of up to 10 years have been reported for trisomy 13 patients, although these cases are extremely rare.
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Risk Factors

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Causes

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Signs and Symptoms

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Diagnosis

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Complications

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Treatment

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Integrative Therapies

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Prevention

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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