Trisomy 18: Experience of a reference hospital from the south of Brazil

Surgical history and outcomes in trisomy 13 and 18: A thirty-year review

BACKGROUND

Patients with Trisomy 13(T13) and 18(T18) have many comorbidities that may require surgical intervention. However, surgical care and outcomes are not well described, making patient selection and family counseling difficult. Here the surgical history and outcomes of T13/ T18 patients are explored.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with T13 or T18 born between 1990 and 2020 and cared for at a tertiary children's hospital (Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis IN) was conducted, excluding those with insufficient records. Primary outcomes of interest were rates of mortality overall and after surgery. Factors that could predict mortality outcomes were also assessed.

RESULTS

One-hundred-seventeen patients were included, with 65% T18 and 35% T13. More than half of patients(65%) had four or more comorbidities. Most deaths occurred by three months at median 42.0 days. Variants of classic trisomies (mosaicism, translocation, partial duplication; p = 0.001), higher birth weight(p = 0.002), and higher gestational age(p = 0.01) were associated with lower overall mortality, while cardiac(p = 0.002) disease was associated with higher mortality. Over half(n = 64) underwent surgery at median age 65 days at time of first procedure. The most common surgical procedures were general surgical. Median survival times were longer in surgical rather than nonsurgical patients(p<0.001). Variant trisomy genetics(p = 0.002) was associated with lower mortality after surgery, while general surgical comorbidities(p = 0.02), particularly tracheoesophageal fistula/esophageal atresia(p = 0.02), were associated with increased mortality after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Trisomy 13 and 18 patients have vast surgical needs. Variant trisomy was associated with lower mortality after surgery while general surgical comorbidities were associated with increased mortality after surgery. Those who survived to undergo surgery survived longer overall.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Obstetric complications in pregnancies with life-limiting malformations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The implementation of palliative care at birth has led to a significant rise in the number of couples who choose to continue with pregnancies complicated by life-limiting malformations (LLMs). Prenatal counselling and appropriate antenatal/perinatal management in these cases are poorly studied and may pose significant challenges. The purpose of this review is to outline specific obstetric risks and to suggest management for mothers who choose to continue with pregnancies with the most common LLMs.

RECENT FINDINGS

In pregnancies complicated by LLMs where parents opt for expectant management, clinicians should respect parental wishes, whilst openly sharing potential serious maternal medical risks specific for the identified abnormalities. The focus of both antenatal and perinatal care should be maternal wellbeing rather than foetal survival. Follow-up ultrasound examinations and maternal surveillance should be aimed at achieving timely diagnosis and effective management of obstetric complications. A clear perinatal plan, agreed with the couples by a multi-disciplinary team including a foetal medicine specialist, a neonatologist and a geneticist, is crucial to reduce maternal morbidity.

SUMMARY

This review provides a useful framework for clinicians who face the challenges of counselling and managing cases complicated by LLMs where parents opt for pregnancy continuation.

Long Survival of a Patient with Trisomy 18 and Dandy-Walker Syndrome

Trisomy 18 is a genetic disease resulting from an extra chromosome 18, characterized by a broad clinical spectrum, poor prognosis and low rates of survival. This is the case of a 12 year-old girl diagnosed with full trisomy 18, and multiple malformations, including Dandy-Walker Syndrome and congenital heart defects on long term survival. At nine months, a new echocardiogram showed a double outlet right ventricle, significant pulmonary stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect. Cardiac surgery was performed at one year and seven months. Early surgical intervention and multidisciplinary follow-up may change the clinical outcome of the disease. Further studies are required to evaluate the benefit of invasive procedures such as cardiac surgery on survival of patients with trisomy 18.

The ratio of cavum septi pellucidi width to anteroposterior cerebellar diameter: A novel index as a diagnostic adjunct for prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 18

AIM

To explore the effectiveness of cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) width to anteroposterior cerebellar diameter (APCD) ratio as a diagnostic adjunct for prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 18.

METHODS

Images of normal fetal brain within 15 and 35 weeks were stored in our center from 2016 to 2017. Images of aneuploid fetuses were retrospectively collected from 2004 to 2017. The transverse cerebellar diameter, APCD and CSP width were measured. CSP/APCD and APCD/transverse cerebellar diameter ratios were calculated and compared between euploid and aneuploid fetuses.

RESULTS

One thousand and forty one fetuses were analyzed, including 817 euploid fetuses and 224 aneuploid fetuses (trisomy 21 117 cases, trisomy 18 82 cases, trisomy 13 9 cases, sex-linked 16 cases). No correlation had been found between both ratios and gestational weeks (P > 0.05). In aneuploid groups, means of ratios were both significantly different just between trisomy 18 group and euploid group (P < 0.05). The best area under the curve was shown by the CSP/APCD ratio. The cutoff value of CSP/APCD was 0.46 (sensitivity 87.0%, specificity 85.0%).

CONCLUSION

A wide CSP or cerebellar hypoplasia warrants a more detailed ultrasound screening and genetic counseling. A larger CSP/APCD ratio alerts us to trisomy 18 syndrome, especially in cases with subtle anomalies.

Congenital heart disease and chromossomopathies detected by the karyotype

OBJECTIVE:

To review the relationship between congenital heart defects and chromosomal abnormalities detected by the karyotype.

DATA SOURCES:

Scientific articles were searched in MEDLINE database, using the descriptors "karyotype" OR "chromosomal" OR "chromosome" AND "heart defects, congenital". The research was limited to articles published in English from 1980 on.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Congenital heart disease is characterized by an etiologically heterogeneous and not well understood group of lesions. Several researchers have evaluated the presence of chromosomal abnormalities detected by the karyotype in patients with congenital heart disease. However, most of the articles were retrospective studies developed in Europe and only some of the studied patients had a karyotype exam. In this review, only one study was conducted in Latin America, in Brazil. It is known that chromosomal abnormalities are frequent, being present in about one in every ten patients with congenital heart disease. Among the karyotype alterations in these patients, the most important is the trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). These patients often have associated extra-cardiac malformations, with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, which makes heart surgery even more risky.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite all the progress made in recent decades in the field of cytogenetic, the karyotype remains an essential tool in order to evaluate patients with congenital heart disease. The detailed dysmorphological physical examination is of great importance to indicate the need of a karyotype.

A morphometric study to establish criteria for fetal and neonatal cerebellar hypoplasia: A special emphasis on trisomy 18

Cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) is one of the congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system and is seen in several diseases and syndromes. This study was conducted in order to examine methods for evaluating CH in fetus and neonate because CH has been diagnosed without any morphometric criteria at autopsy. We sampled 140 autopsied cases including nineteen trisomy 18 (T18), four non-T18 with presumed CH, and 117 control cases without any brain malformation. Statistical significance was present in the cerebellar weight and weight ratio of cerebellum per total brain between T18 and the control. The exponential regression models (ERM) showed that cerebral weight, cerebellar weight, and weight ratio of cerebellum per total brain increased gradually relative to gestational age in both T18 and the control. However, cerebellar weight and weight ratio of cerebellum per total brain of T18 showed growth delay with clear distinction between the two groups. The non-T18 with presumed CH showed similar results. Body weight, total brain, and gestational age should be considered totally when evaluating fetal and neonatal cerebellar development. Furthermore, the ERM results may be useful to evaluate the cerebellar development of fetus and neonate at autopsy.

Retrospective cohort of trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) in southern Brazil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Trisomy 18 (T18), or Edwards syndrome, is a chromosomal disease characterized by a broad clinical picture and a poor prognosis. Our aim was to describe clinical, radiological and survival data of a cohort of patients prenatally diagnosed with T18.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective single cohort in the Fetal Medicine Service of Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas (HMIPV).

METHODS

All sequential patients with T18 registered at the Fetal Medicine Service of HMIPV between January 2005 and September 2013 were considered. We gathered their clinical, radiological and survival data and used the Kaplan-Meier test for survival analysis.

RESULTS

Ten patients were diagnosed with T18, of whom seven (70%) were female. The majority (90%) were referred due to malformations seen on ultrasound. The mean gestational age at the first evaluation was 25.5 weeks. At karyotyping, the defects were considered multiple in only four patients (40%). All the fetuses presented full trisomy of chromosome 18. The main abnormality observed was congenital heart disease (n = 7). Intrauterine death occurred in half of the patients (50%). All live patients (n = 5) were born through cesarean section presenting low weight and low Apgar scores. The median length of survival after birth was 18 days.

CONCLUSIONS

T18 is associated with a high risk of fetal and neonatal death. The majority of the patients present major malformations identified through ultrasound, such as congenital heart defects, which could help in identifying such cases prenatally.

Craniofacial abnormalities among patients with Edwards Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency and types of craniofacial abnormalities observed in patients with trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome (ES).

METHODS

This descriptive and retrospective study of a case series included all patients diagnosed with ES in a Clinical Genetics Service of a reference hospital in Southern Brazil from 1975 to 2008. The results of the karyotypic analysis, along with clinical data, were collected from medical records.

RESULTS:

The sample consisted of 50 patients, of which 66% were female. The median age at first evaluation was 14 days. Regarding the karyotypes, full trisomy of chromosome 18 was the main alteration (90%). Mosaicism was observed in 10%. The main craniofacial abnormalities were: microretrognathia (76%), abnormalities of the ear helix/dysplastic ears (70%), prominent occiput (52%), posteriorly rotated (46%) and low set ears (44%), and short palpebral fissures/blepharophimosis (46%). Other uncommon - but relevant - abnormalities included: microtia (18%), orofacial clefts (12%), preauricular tags (10%), facial palsy (4%), encephalocele (4%), absence of external auditory canal (2%) and asymmetric face (2%). One patient had an initial suspicion of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) or Goldenhar syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the literature description of a characteristic clinical presentation for ES, craniofacial alterations may be variable among these patients. The OAVS findings in this sample are noteworthy. The association of ES with OAVS has been reported once in the literature.

Gestational, perinatal and family findings of patients with Patau syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To describe gestational, perinatal and family findings of patients with Patau syndrome (PS).

METHODS

The study enrolled patients with PS consecutively evaluated during 38 years in a Clinical Genetics Service of a pediatric referral hospital in Southern Brazil. The clinical data and the results of cytogenetic analysis were collected from the medical records. For statistical analysis, the two-tailed Fisher's exact test and the chi-square test with Yates' correction were used, being significant p<0.05.

RESULTS

The sample was composed of 27 patients, 63% were male, with a median age of nine days at the first evaluation. Full trisomy of chromosome 13 was the main cytogenetic finding (74%). Only six patients were submitted to obstetric ultrasound and none had prenatal diagnosis of PS. The patients' demographic characteristics, compared to born alive infants in the same Brazilian state showed a higher frequency of: mothers with 35 years old or more (37.5%); multiparous mothers (92.6%); vaginal delivery (77%); preterm birth (34.6%); birth weight <2500g (33.3%), and Apgar scores <7 in the 1st (75%) and in the 5th minute (42.9%). About half of them (53%) died during the first month of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The understanding of the PS patients' gestational, perinatal and family findings has important implications, especially on the decision about the actions to be taken in relation to the management of these patients.

Trisomy 18 and neural tube defects

BACKGROUND

Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality characterized by a broad clinical picture and a limited survival. More than 130 different abnormalities have been described in these patients-among them are neural tube defects.

METHODS

We verified the frequency and types of major neural tube defects observed among patients with trisomy 18. Our sample consisted of consecutive patients evaluated by a clinical genetics service of a referral hospital in southern Brazil between 1975 and 2008. Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) and chi-square test with Yates' correction were used to compare frequencies (P < 0.05 values were considered as significant).

RESULTS

During the period of evaluation, we identified 50 patients with trisomy 18; 33 (66%) were female and age at the first evaluation ranged from 1 day to 16 years (median 14 days). One cell line with full trisomy 18 was the predominant cytogenetic finding (90%). Three patients (6%) had major neural tube defects, all females. These were two patients (4%) with encephaloceles and one (2%) with myelomeningocele. This last patient undergo to correction surgery on her first day of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data, in accordance with the literature, support the idea that the presence of neural tube defects among patients with trisomy 18 is not coincidental (i.e., these defects are actually part of the spectrum of abnormalities presented in trisomy 18). Thus, the diagnosis of trisomy 18 should be considered in children with major neural tube defects, especially in the presence of other abnormalities or dysmorphisms.

Trissomia 18: revisão dos aspectos clínicos, etiológicos, prognósticos e éticos

OBJETIVO: Revisar as características clínicas, etiológicas, diagnósticas e prognósticas da trissomia do cromossomo 18 (síndrome de Edwards). FONTES DE DADOS: Foram pesquisados artigos científicos presentes nos portais MedLine, Lilacs e SciELO, utilizando-se os descritores 'trisomy 18' e 'Edwards syndrome'. A pesquisa não se limitou a um período determinado e englobou artigos presentes nestes bancos de dados. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A síndrome de Edwards é uma doença caracterizada por um quadro clínico amplo e prognóstico bastante reservado. Há descrição na literatura de mais de 130 anomalias diferentes, as quais podem envolver praticamente todos os órgãos e sistemas. Seus achados são resultantes da presença de três cópias do cromossomo 18. A principal constituição cromossômica observada entre estes pacientes é a trissomia livre do cromossomo 18, que se associa ao fenômeno de não disjunção, especialmente na gametogênese materna. A maioria dos fetos com síndrome de Edwards acaba indo a óbito durante a vida embrionária e fetal. A mediana de sobrevida entre nascidos vivos tem usualmente variado entre 2,5 e 14,5 dias. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento do quadro clínico e do prognóstico dos pacientes com a síndrome de Edwards tem grande importância no que diz respeito aos cuidados neonatais e à decisão de instituir ou não tratamentos invasivos. A rapidez na confirmação do diagnóstico é importante para a tomada de decisões referentes às condutas médicas. Muitas vezes, as intervenções são realizadas em condições de emergência, sem muita oportunidade de reflexão ou discussão, e envolvem questões médicas e éticas difíceis.