The usefulness of NOR and RFA banding in prenatal diagnosis: a case report

Prenatal chromosome analysis of amniotic cells showed a male fetus to carry an unusual marker D chromosome containing extra genetic material on the short arm, which could be interpreted as a possible t(D;G) or t(D;Fq) unbalanced translocation using non-branded preparations or a routine GTG band method. Analysis of this marker by NOR and RFA banding and parental chromosome studies showed the marker to be an unusual variant of the satellited area of chromosome 15, with no associated phenotypic anomalies. The usefulness of NOR and RFA banding as aids in chromosome identification in prenatal diagnosis is discussed.