Social: #TrisomyAwareness
Twitter: @Trisomy_SOFT
Instagram: @trisomy_soft
Facebook: @Trisomy18.Trisomy13.Awareness.SOFTrelatedDisorders
Website: https://trisomy.org/tam/
Every March our SOFT community celebrates Trisomy Awareness Month. March is the 3rd month of the year so it seems fitting that it would be the month chosen to bring awareness and education to Trisomy conditions, celebrate our children who are beating the odds and remember our sweet Angels who left us far too soon.
The message we deliver is not simply what a Trisomy is and how it can affect our children. The message we share and celebrate is how loved our children are regardless of how long they are with us. We show how much a vital part of our families they are; what sweet, loving, vibrant individuals they are; and what a hole is left in our hearts and families when we have to say goodbye.
To help families create awareness, SOFT has designed some items to help you. Reach out to your medical professionals, schools and communities to educate let them know that your child is not just a condition or a label. We are Trisomy Strong.
Trisomy refers to cells having three copies of a chromosome. When three copies of any one of the chromosomes are present, rather than the normal two, the outcome is 47 chromosomes in the cell, instead of the usual 46. In the case of trisomy 18 and 13, this extra chromosome results in congenital malformations, serious developmental and motor delays, and a high incidence of mortality.
Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) is the second most common autosomal trisomy syndrome and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) is the third most common autosomal trisomy syndrome with trisomy 21, Down syndrome, being the most common.
Autosomal refers to any one of the chromosomes that is not a sex chromosome. Every normal human cell contains 46 chromosomes composed of 22 pairs of autosomes, plus two X chromosomes for a female or an X and Y chromosome for a male. Stenson et. al., (2005) Trisomy 18: A Handbook for Families.
Syndrome refers to a group of signs and symptoms. Findings of several abnormalities by prenatal ultrasound or present in a newborn alert the doctor to the possibility of a chromosome disorder but testing is needed to confirm diagnosis.
The diagnosis of trisomy 18, Edwards syndrome, or trisomy 13, Patau syndrome, is much more serious than the more commonly known trisomy 21, Down syndrome. Developmental and physical delays are present in all three syndromes, but in trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 these delays are usually greater and the prognosis includes a much shorter life span, as most will not survive their first year of life. However, these disorders are not universally lethal, as sometimes described; 5-8% of these infants live past their first birthday often without extraordinary measures. And, once a child’s age is greater than a year there is a 60% chance to live beyond age 5 years. (Dr. John C. Carey, medical advisor for SOFT, 2011)
Full trisomy refers to three copies of a chromosome being present in all cells and is the most common form of trisomy 18 or 13. Mosaic trisomy and Partial trisomy occur far less often, with variable and generally better outcomes but some individuals are as affected as those with a full trisomy. Mosaic trisomy refers to two cell lines in a person; a portion with trisomy (3 copies of a chromosome), the other with 2 copies. Partial trisomy occurs when only a piece of a chromosome is extra in a person’s body cells.
For facts specific to trisomy 18 or 13 open the links below.
https://trisomy.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Trisomy-18-Facts-8-20-12.pdf
https://trisomy.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Trisomy-13-Facts2-5-15.pdf
For Related Disorders: https://trisomy.wpengine.com/?page_id=20756
Excerpts for What is Trisomy are from: Care of the Infant and Child with Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13; free E-book at www.trisomy.org provided by co-author, A. Barnes
SOFT has held annual family and medical conferences in various cities since 1987. The annual conference is organized by a host chapter and conference topics have included an overview of Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13, medical issues affecting children with trisomy, medical clinics, support services available, information on making medical decisions for children with trisomy, and much more. Typically, about 85 families attend and about 40 SOFT children with Trisomy conditions. Look under “Events” on the website menu to read the latest conference brochure, for an overview of a typical conference. Attendance numbers for the last several conferences are below the photos on this page.
Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13 & Related Disorders
2982 South Union Street
Rochester, NY 14624-1926
(800) 716-SOFT -7638
(585) 594-4621
(585) 594-1957 Fax
barbsoft@rochester.rr.com
www.trisomy.org
Materials available
Contact: Barb Vanherreweghe