Superfluous chromosome in humans. Chromosomal abnormalities

The human body is a complex, multidimensional system that operates at different levels. To ensure that organs and cells can work in the correct mode, certain substances must participate in specific biochemical processes. To do this, you need a solid foundation, that is, the correct transfer of the genetic code. It is this inherited material that controls the development of the embryo.

However, in hereditary information, sometimes there are changes that appear in large associations or concern individual genes. Such errors are called gene mutations. In some cases, this problem refers to the structural units of the cell, that is, to whole chromosomes. Accordingly, in this case, the error is called a chromosome mutation.

Each human cell normally contains the same number of chromosomes. They are united by the same genes. The complete set is 23 pairs of chromosomes, but in the sex cells they are 2 times smaller. This is due to the fact that during fertilization, the fusion of the sperm and the ovule should represent a complete combination of all the necessary genes. Their distribution is not random, but in a strictly defined order, and such a linear sequence is absolutely the same for all people.

Chromosomal mutations contribute to a change in their number and structure. Thus, an extra chromosome may appear or, conversely, they will be missed. This imbalance may be the cause of abortion or contribute to the onset of chromosomal diseases.

Types of chromosomes and their anomalies

The chromosome is the carrier of hereditary information in the cell. It is a doubled DNA molecule in a complex with histones. The formation of chromosomes occurs in prophase (by the time of cell division). However, in the metaphase period, it is more convenient to study them. Chromosomes, which consist of two chromatids, that is, connected by a primary constriction, are located on the equator of the cell. The primary constriction divides the chromosome into two sections of the same or different length.

There are the following types of chromosomes:

• Metacentric - with shoulders of equal length;
• Submetacentric - with shoulders of unequal length;
• Acrocentric (rod-shaped) - with one short, and the other long shoulders.

Anomalies are relatively large and small. The methods of research vary depending on this parameter. Some can not be detected with a microscope. In such cases, the differential staining method is used, but only when the affected area is estimated in millions of nucleotides. Only by establishing the nucleotide sequence, small mutations can be detected. And larger violations lead to a pronounced effect on the human body.

In the absence of one of the chromosomes, the anomaly is called monosomy. The extra chromosome in the body is trisomy.

Chromosomal diseases

Chromosomal diseases are genetic pathologies that occur as a result of chromosome abnormality. They arise due to a change in the number of chromosomes or large rearrangements

When still medicine was far from the current level of development, it was believed that a person had 48 chromosomes. And only in 1956 they were able to correctly calculate, number and identify the relationship between the violation of the number of chromosomes and some hereditary diseases.

Three years later the French scientist J. Lejeune discovered that a violation in people of mental development and resistance to infections is directly related to a genomic mutation. It was about an extra 21 chromosomes. It is one of the smallest, but it contains a large number of genes. The extra chromosome was observed in 1 out of 1,000 newborns. This chromosomal disease is by far the most studied and is called Down syndrome.

In the same year of 1959, it was studied and proved that the presence of an extra X chromosome in men leads to Kleinfelter's disease, in which a person suffers from mental retardation and infertility.

However, despite the fact that chromosomal abnormalities are observed and studied for a long time, even modern medicine is not capable of treating genetic diseases. But the methods of diagnosing such mutations are quite modernized.

Causes of excess chromosome

Anomaly is the only reason for the emergence of 47 chromosomes instead of the prescribed 46. Specialists in the field of medicine have been proven that the main reason for the appearance of an extra chromosome is the age of the future mother. The older the pregnancy, the greater the probability of non-separation of chromosomes. Only for this reason women are recommended to give birth up to 35 years. In case of pregnancy after this age should be examined.

The factors that contribute to the appearance of an extra chromosome include the level of anomaly that has increased in the whole in the world, the degree of environmental contamination and much more.

There is an opinion that an extra chromosome occurs if there were similar cases in the genus. It's just a myth: studies have shown that parents whose children suffer from chromosomal disease have a perfectly healthy karyotype.

Diagnosis of the appearance of a child with a chromosomal abnormality

The recognition of chromosome number violation, the so-called aneuploidy screening, reveals a deficiency or an excess of chromosomes in the embryo. Pregnant women older than 35 years are recommended to undergo a procedure for obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid. If a violation of the karyotype is found, the expectant mother will need to terminate the pregnancy, since the child will suffer a serious illness all the time in the absence of effective methods of treatment.

The chromosome disorder is mainly of maternal origin, therefore it is necessary to analyze not only the cells of the embryo, but also the substances that are formed during maturation. This procedure is called the diagnosis of genetic disorders in polar bodies.

Down Syndrome

The scientist who first described Mongolism is Down. The extra chromosome, the disease of genes in the presence of which necessarily develops, is widely studied. With Mongolism, trisomy occurs on 21 chromosomes. That is, instead of the prescribed 46, the patient receives 47 chromosomes. The main sign is a lag in development.

Children who have the presence of an extra chromosome experience serious difficulties in assimilating the material in a school setting, so they need an alternative teaching method. In addition to the mental, there is a deviation in physical development, namely: slanted eyes, flat face, wide lips, flat tongue, short or broadened limbs and feet, large accumulation of skin in the neck. Life expectancy on average reaches 50 years.

Syndrome Patau

Trisomy also includes the Patau syndrome, in which there are 3 copies of 13 chromosomes. A distinctive feature is a violation of the central nervous system or its underdevelopment. In patients, multiple malformations are observed, including congenital heart diseases . More than 90% of people with Patau syndrome die in the first year of life.

Edwards Syndrome

This anomaly, like the previous ones, belongs to trisomy. In this case we are talking about 18 chromosomes. Edwards syndrome is characterized by various disorders. Basically, patients experience bone deformation, altered skull form, problems with respiratory organs and cardiovascular system. Life expectancy is usually about 3 months, but some babies live up to a year.

Endocrine diseases in chromosomal abnormalities

In addition to these syndromes of chromosomal abnormality, there are others, in which a numerical and structural anomaly is also observed. Such diseases include the following:

1. Triploidy is a fairly rare disorder of chromosomes, in which their modal number is 69. Pregnancy usually ends with an early miscarriage, but the survival of a child lives no more than 5 months, numerous innate defects are observed.
2. Wolff-Hirschhorn syndrome is also one of the rarest chromosomal abnormalities that develops due to the deletion of the distal end of the short arm of the chromosome. The critical area of this disorder is 16.3 on chromosome 4p. Characteristic features - developmental problems, growth retardation, seizures and typical facial features
3. The Prader-Willi syndrome - the disease is very rare. With such anomalous chromosomes, 7 genes or some of their parts on 15 paternal chromosomes do not function or are completely removed. Symptoms: scoliosis, strabismus, delay in physical and intellectual development, rapid fatigue.

How to raise a child with a chromosomal disease?

Raising a child with congenital chromosomal diseases is not easy. In order to facilitate your life, you must follow certain rules. First, we must immediately overcome despair and fear. Secondly, there is no need to waste time looking for the guilty, it simply does not exist. Thirdly, it is important to determine what kind of assistance is required for the child and the family, and then turn to specialists for medical and psychological-pedagogical assistance.

In the first year of life, diagnosis is extremely important, since in this period the motor function develops. With the help of professionals, the child will quickly acquire motor abilities. It is necessary to objectively examine the baby on the pathology of vision and hearing. Also the child should be observed at the pediatrist, the psychoneurologist and the endocrinologist.

Parents are encouraged to join a special Association in order to obtain valuable practical advice from people who have overcome this situation and are ready to share.

The bearer of the superfluous chromosome is usually friendly, which facilitates his upbringing, and he also tries to earn the adult's approval as much as he can. The level of development of a special baby will depend on how hard it will be to teach him basic skills. Sick children though lag behind the others, but require a lot of attention. It is always necessary to encourage the independence of the child. To instill self-service skills follows by example, and then the result does not take long to wait.

Children with chromosomal diseases are endowed with special talents that need to be revealed. This can be music or drawing. It is important to develop the speech of the baby, play active and developing motor skills games, read, and also accustom to the regime and accuracy. If you show all your tenderness, care, attentiveness and affection to the child, he will answer the same.

Whether it is possible to cure?

To date, it is impossible to heal chromosomal diseases; Each proposed method is experimental, and their clinical effectiveness is not proven. Achieving success in the development, socialization and acquisition of skills is helped by systematic medical and pedagogical assistance.

A sick child should always be observed by specialists, since medicine has reached the level at which it is able to provide the necessary equipment and various types of therapy. Teachers will use modern approaches in training and rehabilitation of the baby.