Edwards syndrome is a severe chromosome abnormality where the child has an extra chromosome 18 in every cell.
A chromosome is a rod-like structure present in the nucleus of all body cells, with the exception of the red blood cells,and which stores genetic information. Normally humans have twenty-three pairs of chromosomes, the unfertilised ova and each sperm carrying a set of twenty-three chromosomes.
On fertilisation the chromosomes combine to give a total of forty-six (twenty-three pairs). A normal female has an XX pair and a normal male an XY pair.
Babies who have Edward’s syndrome nearly always have problems with their heart, lungs and digestive system. Typical characteristics are a small head, a flat forehead and receding chin. It is a rare condition affecting about one baby in 5,000.
What causes it
A baby with Edward’s syndrome has an extra eighteenth chromosome. It can be detected by amniocentesis and Chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
Life expectancy
The majority of these babies die in the first year of life.
Further detailed information on Edward’s syndrome can be found by clicking
here: Edward’s syndrome.
