Autosomal trisomies: what neonatal nurses need to know

Autosomal trisomies are associated with major congenital malformations that may result in prolonged hospitalization of the newborn. Knowledge about these chromosomal abnormalities is important for nurses in neonatal practice. This article identifies the causes and manifestations of most of these trisomies: trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). More detailed description of the manifestations, associated abnormalities, and outcomes of the most common of these, trisomy 21, is provided.