Ring chromosome 18 in a fetus with only facial anomalies

Abstract

We report on a prenatally detected case of ring chromosome 18 [46,XX,r(18)] in amniotic fluid cells of a fetus with an abnormal facial profile on ultrasound as the only malformation. The chromosome 18 origin of the ring chromosome, of a supernumerary marker chromosome in some cells, and of micronuclei was demonstrated by fluorescent in situ hybridization with a whole chromosome 18 paint (Cambio) and 18 centromere probe L1.84. DNA investigations showed deletions of 18p as well as 18q material of r(18), which turned out to be of paternal origin. Autopsy of the fetus after termination of pregnancy at 20 weeks of gestation showed no additional malformations, in agreement with the previous ultrasound findings.