Alternative Names & Classifications:
Patau Syndrome (CLINICAL), Trisomy 13 (CLINICAL)
Description
Patau syndrome occurs when an individual has three copies of chromosome 13 instead of the usual two. This massive surplus of genetic material profoundly disrupts normal embryonic development, leading to life-threatening anatomical defects in the heart, brain, and spinal cord. Due to the severity of these malformations, most infants with this condition do not survive past their first few weeks of life.