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Genetics  (Expert Forum)
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Chance of having another baby with trisomy 13
Answered by
Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC - Hereditary Disorders, hemochromatosis, Patient Outreach
DNA Direct
Welcome to the Genetics Forum! Questions in the Genetics Forum are being answered by genetic experts from AccessDNA. This forum is for questions and support regarding a person’s predisposition to a variety of medical conditions such as Ashkenazi Jewish Diseases, Bleeding Disorders, Blood Clotting Disorders, Cancer Genetics and Hereditary Cancer Syndromes, Chromosome Abnormalities, Congenital Birth Defects, Cystic Fibrosis, Family History, Fragile X Syndrome, Infertility, Newborn Screening, Rare Genetic Disorders, Prenatal Screening and Testing. This forum is for questions and support regarding a person’s predisposition to a variety of medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Blood-clotting Disorders, Breast Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Marfan Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, etc.

Chance of having another baby with trisomy 13

by Choquita, Apr 11, 2008 10:04PM
Hi, I am going to have a D&E tomorrow as my fetus of 15 months has trisomy 13. I had a CVS that detected that.
I am 44 years now and in Jan. 2009,  45.   I know that trisomy 13 occurs with age. What are my chances of having another baby with trisomy 13 if I try again? I cried a lot and depressed however I have to move on as I have a 4 years healthy girl I conceived at 40? Is true that trisomy 13 occurs due to translocation? Should I go see a genetic specialist to find out if my husband and I suffer of translocation?

Appreciate your response,
Sincerely

by Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC, Apr 21, 2008 07:22PM
I am so sorry for your loss.  It sounds like an extremely difficult situation for you and your family.  

As you know, trisomy 13, also called Patau Syndrome, occurs in about 1 in 5,000-10,000 live born infants.  Trisomy 13 is generally caused by an extra copy of chromosome #13 (three copies of chromosome #13).  Typically, we have 2 copies of each of our chromosomes.

It is very unusual for a family to have a second child with Trisomy 13.  This can occur when a baby has Trisomy 13 due not to a complete extra copy of chromosome 13, but rather due to a rearrangement of piece of chromosome 13 with another chromosome. This is called a translocation which can sometimes run in families.  If you had a karyotype from this pregnancy from your CVS, then this test result would be able to determine if a translocation was present.    

If there is no translocation present, your actual risk for another pregnancy to be affected with a chromosome abnormality is dependent on how old you will be when you deliver. For example, if you will be 45, it is estimated at about 1 in 20.
  
It may help to meet with a genetic counselor to discuss the chances that a future pregnancy may have a chromosome problem.  You can find a genetic counselor through the NSGC (National Society of Genetic Counselors) website.   Best to you and your family.

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