Edward Syndrome (Trisomy-18)
Trisomy-18 (2n=46,18+)
(Edward Syndrome) is the second
most common trisomy after Down Syndrome, and occurs in 1 / 4 ~ 8000
live
births. It is three times as prevalent in newborn girls as in boys.
Trisomy 18
is characterized by microcephaly, a high forehead, profound
psycho-motor
retardation, and serious heart malformations including ventral and
atrial septal
defects, and patent ductus arteriosus,
a
persistent
opening
between the
heart chambers that prevents efficient blood flow. Life
expectancy is typically very short, with 90% of children dying in the
first year. Katrina (left) lived only a few months. On the other hand,
Joseph (middle & right)
lived to two months short of 22
years. His parents write,
"It is important for
readers to understand that some, albeit very few, children with trisomy
18
survive into adulthood. [T]he live birth prevalence
towards
girls ... becomes more pronounced with age as girls dramatically
out-survive
boys in later months/years."
See [http://www.trisomy.org/trisomy18.php]