Further examples of trisomy-20 mosaicism in amniotic cell cultures

Trisomy 20 mosaicism in prenatal diagnosis--a review and update

A total of 66 cases with prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 20 mosaicism was reviewed. Since the majority of cases (85 per cent) was associated with grossly normal phenotype and the abnormalities noted in 15 per cent of cases were inconsistent and rather non-specific, no casual relationship between trisomy 20 mosaicism and a specific malformation syndrome can be established. The possibility of an association between an abnormal phenotype and a high percentage of trisomy 20 cells (greater than 60 per cent) must be considered preliminary and be viewed with caution. The fact that cells with trisomy 20 have not been recovered from blood cultures and were detected more frequently from specific fetal tissues, (such as kidney, rectum, oesophagus), and from placental tissues, suggests that trisomy 20 is more likely to be confined to certain fetal organs and to extra-embryonic tissues. This review calls for the collection of more data on all cases of trisomy 20 mosaicism diagnosed prenatally, in order to provide more accurate information to the prospective parents.

Follow-up of infants with amniotic fluid trisomy 20 mosaicism

The finding of trisomy 20 mosaicism in amniotic fluid is a cause of considerable anxiety for both physicians and parents. Although the significance of this finding is still not clear, some reassurance can be given to prospective parents, since the outcome has been normal in all reported pregnancies carried to term. Follow-up information on psychomotor development of these infants is needed in order to provide better genetic counseling to these families. We have followed three infants who have had normal growth and psychomotor development up to approximately 2 years.

Multiple congenital anomalies in a child born after prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 20 mosaicism

The clinical significance of trisomy 20 mosaicism in amniotic fluid cultures has remained unclear so far. We report data on a child with multiple congenital anomalies born after a diagnosis of true trisomy 20 mosaicism in 65% of amniotic fluid cells. The child had generalized dysmorphic features, including facial dysmorphy resembling those of a child with Williams syndrome. The boy also had hypotonia and language delay. Although most of the published cases do not mention any abnormalities in children born after prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 20 mosaicism, the distinct cranio-facial features and the similarities to previous reports of partial or complete chromosome 20 mosaicism raises the possibility that a recognizable pattern of malformation might be associated with the prenatally diagnosable condition in some cases.