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Assessing Teratogenic Changes in a Zebrafish Model of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
Published on: March 20, 2012
Fetal alcohol syndrome associated with trisomy 21
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|February 1, 1987
Summary
This study describes five cases of Down syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) co-occurrence. Maternal alcohol use may increase the incidence of Down syndrome in subsequent generations.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are distinct developmental disorders.
- Co-occurrence of Down syndrome and FAS presents unique phenotypic challenges, including severe growth deficiency and congenital heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe cases of Down syndrome and FAS co-occurrence.
- To investigate the potential association between maternal alcohol consumption and increased incidence of trisomy 21.
Main Methods:
- Case series reporting on five infants with confirmed Down syndrome and FAS.
- Phenotypic analysis, anthropometric measurements, and chromosomal analysis (karyotyping).
- Comparison of incidence rates with expected random co-occurrence and analysis of maternal history.
Main Results:
- All five infants exhibited features of both Down syndrome and FAS, with growth parameters significantly below expected ranges.
- Confirmed trisomy 21 in all cases; all presented with congenital heart disease.
- Observed incidence of Down syndrome and FAS co-occurrence in the institution was significantly higher than random chance, with all mothers reporting chronic alcohol use and a history of alcoholic mothers.
Conclusions:
- Down syndrome and FAS can occur concurrently, leading to more severe growth deficits than expected.
- Maternal alcohol abuse may be linked to an increased incidence of Down syndrome (trisomy 21) in the offspring of alcoholic mothers.
- Higher maternal age at delivery was noted compared to the general population, aligning with known risk factors for Down syndrome.
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