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Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p

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Copyright 1996, 2001, 2009

NORD is very grateful to Shashikant Kulkarni, PhD, Director of CytoGenomics and Molecular Pathology, Director of Clinical & Molecular Cytogenetics, Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, for assistance in the preparation of this report.

Synonyms of Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p
  • Tetrasomy, Short Arm of Chromosome 18

Disorder Subdivisions



General Discussion
Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p is a very rare chromosomal disorder in which the short arm of the 18th chromosome (18p) appears four times (tetrasomy) rather than twice in cells of the body. Individuals with a normal chromosomal make-up (karyotype) have two 18th chromosomes, both of which have a short arm ("18p") and a long arm ("18q"). However, in individuals with Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p, four short arms (18ps) are present in cells of the body rather than the normal two.

The symptoms of Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p may vary from case to case. Many affected individuals may have abnormalities of the head and facial (craniofacial) area; malformations of the spine, hands, and/or feet; neuromuscular abnormalities, such as increased muscle tone (hypertonia), increased reflex reactions (hyperreflexia), and difficulty coordinating movement; kidney (renal) malformations; and/or additional physical abnormalities. In addition, children and adults with Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p often exhibit moderate to severe mental retardation, limitations in speech, and/or behavioral abnormalities. In most cases, Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p is the result of a spontaneous (de novo) genetic change (mutation) early in embryonic development that occurs for unknown reasons (sporadic).



Organizations related to Chromosome 18, Tetrasomy 18p
  • AmeriFace
    PO Box 751112
    Las Vegas NV 89136
    Phone #: 702-769-9264
    800 #: 888-486-1209
    e-mail: info@ameriface.org
    Home page: http://www.ameriface.org
  • Arc
    1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301
    Washington DC 20036
    Phone #: 202-534-3700
    800 #: 800-433-5255
    e-mail: info@thearc.org
    Home page: http://www.thearc.org
  • Children's Craniofacial Association
    13140 Coit Road
    Suite 517
    Dallas TX 75240
    Phone #: 214-570-9099
    800 #: 800-535-3643
    e-mail: contactCCA@ccakids.com
    Home page: http://www.ccakids.com
  • Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society
    7155 Oakridge Drive
    San Antonio TX 78229
    Phone #: 210-657-4968
    800 #: --
    e-mail: office@chromosome18.org
    Home page: http://www.chromosome18.org
  • Chromosome Disorder Outreach, Inc.
    P.O. Box 724
    Boca Raton FL 33429-0724
    Phone #: 561-395-4252
    800 #: N/A
    e-mail: info@chromodisorder.org
    Home page: http://www.chromodisorder.org
  • Craniofacial Foundation of America
    975 East Third Street
    Chattanooga TN 37403
    Phone #: 423-778-9176
    800 #: 800-418-3223
    e-mail: terry.smyth@erlanger.org
    Home page: http://www.craniofacialfoundation.org
  • Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
    PO Box 8126
    Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
    Phone #: 301-251-4925
    800 #: 888-205-2311
    e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
    Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
  • MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
    150 Custer Court
    Green Bay WI 54301-1243
    Phone #: 920-336-5333
    800 #: 877-336-5333
    e-mail: mums@netnet.net
    Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
  • March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
    1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
    White Plains NY 10605
    Phone #: 914-997-4488
    800 #: 888-663-4637
    e-mail: Askus@marchofdimes.com
    Home page: http://www.marchofdimes.com
  • NIH/National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
    3 Information Way
    Bethesda MD 20892-3580
    Phone #: N/A
    800 #: 800-891-5390
    e-mail: nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov
    Home page: http://www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
  • National Kidney Foundation
    30 East 33rd Street
    New York NY 10016
    Phone #: 212-889-2210
    800 #: 800-622-9010
    e-mail: info@kidney.org
    Home page: http://www.kidney.org
  • Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13, and Related Disorders
    2982 South Union Street
    Rochester NY 14624-1926
    Phone #: N/A
    800 #: 800-716-7638
    e-mail: barbv@trisomy.org
    Home page: http://www.trisomy.org
  • Tetrasomy 18p Canada
    Toronto , ON Canada
    None None None
    Phone #: 416--76-8-7311
    800 #: N/A
    e-mail: johnvel@telus.net
    Home page: http://www.tetrasomy18p.ca
  • UNIQUE - Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group
    P.O. Box 2189
    Caterham
    Surrey Intl CR3 5GN
    Phone #: 44 -0 1-883 330766
    800 #: --
    e-mail: info@rarechromo.org
    Home page: http://www.rarechromo.org

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Last modified Wednesday, November 26, 2008