Trisomy refers to a cell that contains three of the same chromosome, Trsiomy 18 then refers to three chromosomes of number …show more content…
Some physical defects of the heart, skeleton, brain, kidneys, and body walls have a good chance of bein detected by prenatal ultrasound. Women carrying a fetus with Edwards Syndrome sometimes report that they feel little movement. Cesarean sections are more common due to abnormal fetal positon or fetal distress near term.
Of those babies with Edwards Syndrome that are live-born, two-thirds are delivered several weeks early or late. Another common effect is low birth weight. Newborns are frail, and tend to have a weak cry and difficulty feeding. Muscles may be poorly developed, and often become tight and contracted. Extra hair on the forehead and back is sometimes seen, as is loose, redundant skin.
Abnormalities of the lungs, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen are also associated with Edwards Syndrome. Anomalies of the breastbone, ribs, pelvis, and the spine are the more frequent skeletal findings. An abdominal wall defect or hernia in the abdominal region may be present, and in some cases genital anomalies in both maled and females are not