Edwards Syndrome
Definition
Trisomy 18 is a rare chromosome abnormality that affects one in every 6,000 to 8,000 live births. With this, children have developmental delay, such as, birth defects and health problems that involves almost every organ system in the body. Trisomy 18 is also known as Edwards Syndrome, named after the physician who first described the disorder. (AboutKidsHealth)
Life expectancy of a baby with Edwards Syndrome
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50% of babies that were born with Edwards Syndrome survives their first six to nine days.
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12% of babies that were born with Edwards Syndrome survives the first year of life.
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Difficult to predict the life expectancy of a baby with Edwards Syndrome.
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10% of children born with Edwards Syndrome survived until 10 years of age.
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Risk of having a baby with Edwards Syndrome increases with the mother’s age.
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Chance of having another baby with Edwards Syndrome is no greater than 1%.
Instructional Strategies
Useful Websites
Research
This website shows different images when a baby is born with Edwards Syndrome. It also explains the background, pathophysiology and epidemiology. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/943463-overview
The Embryo Project Encyclopedia states the history, the causes and what Edwards Syndrome really is. https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/trisomy-18-edwards-syndrome
Sources
Children, T. H. (n.d.). Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome). Retrieved from AboutKidsHealth: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=875&language=English
Lal, M. K. (2018, September 25). Trisomy 18. Retrieved from Medscape : https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/943463-overview
Zhang, M. (2011, 8 16). Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome). Retrieved from Embryo Project Encyclopedia: https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/trisomy-18-edwards-syndrome
