Exencephaly in autosomal dominant brachydactyly syndrome

Exencephaly was diagnosed at 17 weeks in a 27-year-old primigravida with abnormalities of the hands and a family history suggestive of autosomal dominant brachydactyly and clinodactyly. In this family there was also a history of ‘anencephaly’. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the association of exencephaly and autosomal dominant brachydactyly. As the relationship between hand and cranial anomalies is well established, we suggest that this association in our case could be due to a defect in the same gene.     

Triploid fetus: An important consideration in the evaluation of very high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein

Two patients referred for evaluation of very high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (10–20 multiples of the median) were carrying triploid fetuses with placentas showing features of partial hydatidiform mole. The diagnosis of fetal triploidy should be considered when there is a very high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and no ultrasound evidence of open neural tube defect, ventral wall defect, or any other explanation. Therefore, chromosomal analysis of amniotic fluid cells in such cases is essential.     

Chorionic villus sampling: Improved method for preparation of karyotypes after short-term incubation

A method for the isolation and trypsin-Giemsa banding of metaphases obtained after short-term incubation (48 h) of cytotrophoblast cells from chorionic villus sample is described. A new slide-making instrument, developed expressly to enhance the spreading of chromosomes from metaphases released from small tissue pieces, is responsible for the increase yield of analysable metaphases in this protocol.