children s health issues
Trisomy 13
Introduction
Trisomy 13 is a chromosomal disorder caused by an extra chromosome 13 that results in severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities. Trisomy 13 is caused by an extra chromosome 13. Infants are typically small and often have major brain, eye, face, and heart defects. Tests can be done before or after birth to confirm the diagnosis. There is no cure for trisomy 13. (See also Overview of Chromosome and Gene Disorders .) Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain An extra chromosome, making three of the same chromosome (instead of the normal two), is called trisomy. Children who have trisomy 13 have a third chromosome 13. Trisomy 13 occurs in about 2 out of 10,000 pregnancies. The extra chromosome usually comes from the mother. The risk of trisomy 13 increases with the mother's age. 