What is Syndrome, Edwards?

Syndrome, Edwards: This is trisomy 18 syndrome. Thereare three instead of the normal two chromosomes #18. Children with this condition havemultiple malformations and mental retardation due to the extra chromosome #18. Thechildren characteristically have low birth weight, small head ( microcephaly), small jaw(micrognathia), malformations of the heart and kidneys, clenched fists with abnormalfinger positioning, and malformed feet. The mental retardation is profound with the IQ toolow to even test. Nineteen out of 20 (95%) of these children die before their firstbirthday. The condition is named after the British physician and geneticist JohnEdwards who discovered the extra chromosome in 1960.