Trisomy 18 is a rare chromosomal disorder in new born children

Trisomy 18 is a rare genetic disorder in which the baby has three chromosomes for a particular gene rather than the normal two copies. It is also known as Edwards Syndrome or Trisomy E.

[hana-code-insert name=’StumbleUpon’ /][hana-code-insert name=’Reddit’ /]According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the symptoms such as low birth weight, clenched hands, mental deficiencies, small head and jaw, and an unusually shaped chest occur in the condition. Diseases like pneumonia may occur but is not life threatening in most of the cases.

This disorder is often considered fatal. It has been estimated that almost 90% of children with the disorder die in the first year of their life. In a recent study, it has been found that a lot of children can go through further ages although they need constant medical care. It has been reported in the journal Pediatrics that more than a third of hospitalizations of children with Trisomy 18 and closely related Trisomy 13 over the past 15 years were older than one year. In more than one-tenth of cases, the child went beyond the 8 years of age.

“The norm is still great difficulty with survivorship for most of the children. But to say that is true for most does not mean that is true for all,” Dr. Chris Feudtner, study co-author, said.

In recent times, Bella Santorum, the youngest daughter of Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum, has been diagnosed with Trisomy 18. She has been hospitalized on Friday, the second time for the adverse conditions of the disorder. Santorum said that his daughter’s conditions and survival are “miraculous”. We pray for the health of little Bella Santorum.