Patau syndrome /pta/ is a syndrome caused by a chromosomal abnormality, in which some or

all of the cells of the body contain extra genetic material from chromosome 13. This can occur either
because each cell contains a full extra copy of chromosome 13 (a disorder known as trisomy
13 or trisomy D), or because each cell contains an extra partial copy of the chromosome
(i.e.,Robertsonian translocation) or because of mosaic Patau syndrome. Full trisomy 13 is caused
by nondisjunction of chromosomes during meiosis (the mosaic form is caused by nondisjunction
during mitosis). The extra genetic material from chromosome 13 disrupts the normal course of
development, causing multiple and complex organ defects. Like all nondisjunction conditions (such
asDown syndrome and Edwards syndrome), the risk of this syndrome in the offspring increases with
maternal age at pregnancy, with about 31 years being the average. [1] Patau syndrome affects
somewhere between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 21,700 live births.[2]