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Triploidy: Pregnancy complications and clinical findings in seven cases
Author(s) -
Graham John M.,
Rawnsley Eileen F.,
Simmons G. Millard,
WursterHill Doris H.,
Park Jonathan P.,
MarinPadilla Miguel,
Crow Harte C.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1970090606
Subject(s) - prenatal diagnosis , holoprosencephaly , obstetrics , spina bifida , pregnancy , medicine , fetus , molar pregnancy , gynecology , biology , pediatrics , gestation , genetics
Abstract Seven cases of triploidy were encountered by the Prenatal Diagnosis Program at Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center over an 8‐year period through associated pregnancy complications. We describe the characteristic findings that facilitate prenatal diagnosis and management. Our experience includes fetuses with major central nervous system abnormalities (spina bifida aperta, holoprosencephaly) and anterior abdominal wall defects, which are detectable with routine prenatal diagnostic screening examinations (ultrasound and AFP). In addition, we stress the importance of recognizing obstetric complications and associated cystic placental changes, which are quite common among triploid conceptuses. Molar changes associated with triploidy have a more benign prognosis than that associated with diploid moles. Such molar changes may relate to the presence of a diploid paternal chromosome complement. The usefulness of cytofluorometric DNA determinations in helping to confirm a clinical suspicion of triploidy is emphasized. These cases are presented in an effort to facilitate prenatal recognition and management of this common cytogenetic condition and prevent unnecessary Caesarean section deliveries.