Chromosomes are packages of genes, which carry all the genetic information passed down from parent to child. The genes essentially provide instructions to the cells of the body for how to function. Humans typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell of their bodies (except sperm and egg cells) for a total of 46 chromosomes per cell. At the time of conception, the mother’s egg provides 23 chromosomes and the father’s sperm provides the other 23.
There are many genetic disorders due to extra copy of chromosome or deletion of part of chromosome, leads to defect in multiple organs of our body, specially brain. Because of that your child may have,
- Delay in attaining age appropriate milestones- delay in walking and speaking
- Intellectual disability and poor school performance
- Facial and body dysmorphism
- Congenital heart disease
- Kidney problems
- Eye and vision issues
The classic example is Down syndrome, occurring when an individual has all or part of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Other diseases are Patau syndrome, Edward syndrome, Turner syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome.
