Edwards syndrome
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Trisomy 18
Classification and external resources
Chromosome 18
ICD-10 Q91.0-Q91.3
ICD-9 758.2
DiseasesDB 13378
eMedicine ped/652
Trisomy 18 (T18) or Edwards Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. It is named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960.[1] It is the second most common autosomal trisomy, after Down Syndrome, that carries to term.
Trisomy 18 is caused by the presence of three — as opposed to two — copies of chromosome 18 in a fetus or infant's cells. The incidence of the syndrome is estimated as one in 3,000 live births[2]. The incidence increases as the mother's age increases. The syndrome has a very low rate of survival, resulting from heart abnormalities, kidney malformations, and other internal organ disorders.