New autosomal syndromes: trisomies 4p and 9p

Six cases of trisomy 4p and three of trisomy 9p are reported. Growth retardation is an aspecific clinical sign, present in both of these “new autosomal” syndromes. Growth hormone determinations fit in the normal range. The attempts to subclassify these disorders correlating the severity of clinical manifestations and the size of the imbalanced chromosome segment, are considered unrealistic approaches.

Deletion of the long arm of chromosome 8 resulting from a de novo translocation t(4;8) (q13;q213)

Report is given of a mentally retarded and dysmorphic patient with a partial monosomy 8q, resulting from a de novo translocation t(4;8)(q13;q213). Oetermination of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (E-GSR) activity in the proposita shows activity in the normal range. Previous evidence for of the assignment of E-GSR locus to the short arm of chromosome 8 is confirmed.

Hand dermatoglyphics in trisomy 4p

A dermatoglyphic analysis of the hands of 16 patients with trisomy for the short arm of chromosome 4 has revealed an increased frequency of whorl patterns on fingertips, presence of axial triradii in position t' on palms and an increase of the main line index. Although of little diagnostic value these changes must be included in the constellation of major signs which characterize the 4p trisomy syndrome.

Centric fission of chromosome no. 4 in the mother of two patients with trisomy 4p

Centric fission of chromosome No. 4 was found in the healthy mother of two children with trisomy 4p. The two telocentrics derived are stable and show no evidence of fusing again. The 2:3 ratio of unbalanced offsprings born to the proposita indicates that, contrary to the evidence emerging from studies in other species, the risk for the production of unbalanced gametes is high.