Clinical management considerations in long-term survivors with trisomy 18

As many as 90% or more of children with trisomy 18 die within the first year of life. A review of six patients with trisomy 18 documented by karyotype surviving past 1 year of age and of the trisomy 18 files of the Support Organization for Trisomy 18 and 13 indicated that a small number of children with trisomy 18 survive beyond their first year of life; a few live into their teens and twenties. In addition to medical problems that are unique to this chromosomal syndrome, these patients present complex medical problems common to all persons with chromosomal anomalies. The primary and tertiary care consultants who are able to provide knowledge and sensitive supportive care to children with trisomy 18 and to their parents are performing a service of significant benefit, no matter how brief the life span of the child may be.