Trisomy
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
General Discussion
Trisomies are very rare genetic disorders characterized by a chromosome aberration. Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of all body cells. They carry the genetic characteristics of each individual. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22, with an unequal 23rd pair of X and Y chromosomes for males, and two X chromosomes for females. People with a Trisomy have an extra chromosome added to one of the normal pairs. Each chromosome has a short arm that is designated "p" and a long arm identified by the letter "q". The triplication of the chromosome may be partial; i.e., with only a portion of the chromosome duplicated. Defects are classified by the name of the abnormal chromosome pair and which portion of the chromosome is affected. For example, 22p+ means that there is an extra short arm added to the 22nd pair of chromosomes. In general, the most common symptom of the trisomies is mental retardation.
Resources
Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13, and Related Disorders
2982 S. Union Street
Rochester, NY 14624-1926
Fax: (585)594-1957
Tel: (800)716-7638
Email: barbv@trisomy.org
Internet: http://www.trisomy.org
The Arc
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)534-3700
Fax: (202)534-3731
Tel: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
Email: info@thearc.org
Internet: http://www.thearc.org
National Down Syndrome Congress
1370 Center Drive
Suite 102
Atlanta, GA 30338-
USA
Tel: (770)604-9500
Fax: (770)604-9898
Tel: (800)232-6372
Email: info@ndsccenter.org
Internet: http://www.ndsccenter.org
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/AboutGARD.aspx
For a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 8/7/2007
Copyright 1987, 1990, 1998, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
