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Updated: Sep 15, 2026

FISH for Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Published on: February 23, 2011
[Partial trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 6. A clinical case]
P Dellacasa1, P Bonanni, R Guerrini
1Istituto Scientifico Stella Maris, Università degli Studi di Pisa.
Insights
This study details a child with partial trisomy 6q, characterized by distinct facial features and developmental delays. The findings suggest these somatic characteristics may represent a distinct syndrome, though visceral and cerebral impact varies.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Clinical Medicine
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Partial trisomy of chromosome 6, specifically duplication of the 6q22.36-qter region, arises from maternal malsegregation.
- This genetic imbalance can lead to a recognizable pattern of congenital anomalies and developmental issues.
Observation:
- The case involves a child with microbrachycephaly, prominent forehead, hypertelorism, exophthalmos, low-set ears, and other dysmorphic features.
- Growth parameters including weight, height, and head circumference were below the 3rd percentile.
- Brain imaging revealed a mildly enlarged ventricular system and subarachnoid spaces with cortical dysmorphism.
Findings:
- The observed phenotype aligns with previously reported cases of dup (6q), suggesting a potential syndrome.
- While somatic features are consistent, the degree of visceral and cerebral impairment shows significant variability.
- The patient exhibited good general health without internal organ malformations.
Implications:
- The consistent physical characteristics in dup (6q) cases support the recognition of a distinct genetic syndrome.
- Further research is needed to understand the variable expressivity of visceral and cerebral involvement in 6q duplication.
- This case contributes to the understanding of chromosomal abnormalities and their phenotypic manifestations in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
The authors present the case of a child with partial trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 6 who was observed aged between 1 and 5 months and 5 years and 5 months. The kariotype shows a duplication of the distal tract (6q22.36-->qter) deriving from the imbalance of a maternal malsegregation. The phenotype is that characteristic of the syndrome: microbrachycephalia with a high and prominent forehead, "full" orbits, exophthalmos, antimongoloid palperbral fissures, hypertelorism, flattened root of the nose, antiverted nostrils, small mouth with thin lips, micrognathy, auricles with a low implantation, short and thick neck with anterior palmature, low implantation of hair at nape, reduced diameter of chest, articular retraction, clinodactilia of 5th finger, bilateral single palmar groove, hypospadia. Weight, height and cranial circumference were below the 3rd percentile. The cases of dup (6q) reported in the literature generally describe similar somatic characteristics so much so that these may represent a syndrome. However, there is considerable variation in the level of visceral and cerebral impairment, only partly attributable to the degree of chromosome imbalance. The general conditions of the probabd were good and there was no malformation of internal organs. Magnetic resonance scan of the brain showed a slight increase in the volume of the ventricular system and a slight dilatation of the subarachnoid spaces with a dysmorphic cortical pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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