Question
Which chromosomal abnormality, chromosome 5 amplification or chromosome 18 deletion, has a more severe impact on fetal development?
Answer
Chromosome 5 amplification (partial deletion) leads to a genetic disorder known as Cri du Chat syndrome, characterized by widely spaced eyes, low-set ears, delayed growth and development, and severe intellectual disabilities. Women are more commonly affected than men, and growth and intellectual development are often incomplete. Trisomy 18 syndrome, on the other hand, causes malformations of the mesoderm and its derivatives, such as skeletal, urinary reproductive, and heart abnormalities. Both abnormalities can have a severe impact on fetal development, but the specific severity may vary depending on individual circumstances.