One baby in 16,000 can be born with a chromosomal disorder known as Patau Syndrome. They may have physical symptoms like a cleft palate or cleft lip, extra fingers or toes and other facial characteristics and serious complications such as heart defects and central nervous system problems.
Patau syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome that is present in some or all of the body’s cells. Children with Patau Syndrome usually have heart defects, spinal cord and brain abnormalities, extra fingers or toes, weak muscle tone and eyes that are poorly developed. This disorder is so severe that few babies survive more than a few weeks and only 5 – 10% live longer than a year.
The severity of this syndrome causes many babies to abort spontaneously or to be stillborn. Symptoms may include:
The complications of Patau Syndrome usually are present at birth and congenital heart disease is present in most babies with the disorder.
When extra DNA from chromosome 13 is in the body’s cells, Patau Syndrome develops.
About 1 in 16,000 babies is born with Patau Syndrome. The risk of having a baby with this disorder gets higher as a woman’s age increases.
Most conditions of Patau Syndrome cannot be inherited. During the formation of the sperm or egg, a problem with cell division can cause an extra chromosome 13 in the cells. This is not the fault of the parent, but rather a random occurrence. Another type of Patau Syndrome can be inherited. Translocation trisomy 13 can happen when an unaffected parent carries a rearrangement of genetic material from chromosome 13 and another chromosome and passes this material on to the child.
Patau Syndrome cannot be cured. The physical problems that children are both with can be treated with a variety of therapies. These therapies, including speech, occupational, and physical, are designed to help children reach their highest developmental potential. Surgery is also a possibility to correct heart defects, cleft palate or a cleft lip. Because of heart defects or neurological issues, it is difficult for many babies to survive the first few weeks of life.