Common trisomy mosaicism diagnosed in amniocytes involving chromosomes 13, 18, 20 and 21: Karyotype-phenotype correlations

Karyotype-phenotype correlations of common trisomy mosaicism prenatally diagnosed via amniocentesis was reviewed in 305 new cases from a collaboration of North American cytogenetic laboratories. Abnormal outcome was noted in 10/25 (40%) cases of 47, + 13/46, 17/31 (54%) cases of 47, + 18/46, 10/152 (6.5%) cases of 47, + 20/46, and in 49/97 (50%) cases of 47, + 21/46 mosaicism. Risk of abnormal outcome in pregnancies with less than 50% trisomic cells and greater than 50% trisomic cells were: 26% (4/15) versus 60% (6/10) for 47, + 13/46, 52% (11/21) versus 75% (6/8) for 47. + 18/46, 4.5% (6/132) versus 20% (4/20) 47, + 20/46, and 45% (27/60) versus 59% (22/37) for 47, + 21/46. Phenotypically normal liveborns were observed with mean trisomic cell lines of 9.3% for 47, + 13/46, 8.6% for 47, + 18/46, 27% for 47, + 20/46, and 17% for 47, + 21/46. Cytogenetic confirmation rates were 46% (6/13 cases) for 47,+ 13/46 mosaicism, 66% (8/12 cases) for 47, + 18/46, 10% (10/97 cases) for 47, + 20/46, and 44% (24/54 cases) for 47, + 21/46. There were higher confirmation rates in pregnancies with abnormal versus normal outcome: 50% versus 44% for 47, + 13/46 mosaicism, 100% versus 33% for 47,+ 18/46, 66% versus 7% for 47,+ 20/46, and 55% versus 40% for 47, + 21/46. Repeat amniocentesis is not helpful in predicting clinical outcome. It may be considered when there is insufficient number of cells or cultures to establish a diagnosis. Fetal blood sampling may have a role in mosaic trisomy 13, 18, and 21 as the risk for abnormal outcome increases with positive confirmation: 1/5 (20%) normal cases versus 5/8 (62%) abnormal cases. High resolution ultrasound examination(s) is recommended for clinical correlation and to facilitate genetic counselling. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.