Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

08:19
A Pipeline to Characterize Structural Heart Defects in the Fetal Mouse
Published on: December 16, 2022
Polyvalvular disease in a fetus with normal chromosomes
Michelle Miller1, Deborah Krakow, Samuel Pepkowitz
1Cedars-Sinai Medical Center-Pediatric Cardiology, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA. michelle.miller@cshs.org
Congenital Heart Disease
|April 2, 2008
Summary
Congenital polyvalvular disease, a heart valve anomaly, is often linked to chromosomal issues. This study presents a rare case of polyvalvular disease diagnosed prenatally in a patient with normal chromosomes and no extracardiac anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Congenital polyvalvular disease involves heart valve anomalies, frequently associated with chromosomal abnormalities like trisomy 13 and 18.
- Previous reports documented cases with normal chromosomes but co-occurring extracardiac anomalies, or cases lacking detailed chromosomal analysis.
Observation:
- This study details a unique case of congenital polyvalvular disease diagnosed prenatally.
- The patient exhibited normal chromosomes via standard banding pattern analysis.
- Crucially, no extracardiac anomalies were identified in this case.
Findings:
- The reported case represents a rare instance of congenital polyvalvular disease occurring in the absence of chromosomal abnormalities and extracardiac malformations.
- This finding challenges the typical association of polyvalvular disease with genetic syndromes or other developmental defects.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of congenital polyvalvular disease, suggesting potential genetic or environmental factors beyond chromosomal abnormalities.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the etiology of isolated congenital polyvalvular disease.
- Prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling require consideration of this rare presentation.
Related Concept Videos
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
Nondisjunction
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
Nondisjunction
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
Meiosis vs. Mitosis
Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Fetal Circulation
Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

