title: The genetic significance of accessory bisatellited marker chromosomes.
abstract: Ten new cases of accessory bisatellited marker chromosomes examined in different laboratories are reported. As a basis for genetic counseling in the context of prenatal diagnosis a cytogenetic categorization of such marker chromosomes is proposed and an estimation of the genetic risk associated with each category is carried out. The results are as follows: There is no increased risk for offspring with abnormal phenotype born to a healthy carrier of an accessory bisatellited marker chromosome with either a single or two closely adjacent C-bands (Category AI or AII). The unbiased sample of cases with de novo accessory bisatellited marker chromosomes of categories AI and AII is too small to allow a satisfactory estimation of the actual risk that, in case of such a prenatal finding, the foetus may not show a normal phenotype as a consequence of the marker chromosome. There is, however, evidence that this risk may be lower than 10%. Accessory bisatellited marker chromosomes showing a discrete pattern of G- and R-bands situated between two distant C-bands (Category AIII) usually indicate a chromosomal imbalance giving rise to an abnormal phenotype. Mosaic carriers of such dicentric marker chromosomes may, however, present a normal phenotype.
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers