In this June 6, 2011 file photo, former Pennsylvania Sen.
Rick Santorum holds his daughter Bella before announcing he
is entering the Republican presidential race, on the steps of
the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerset, Pa. Bella has the
genetic disorder Trisomy 18, and was hospitalized over the
weekend with pneumonia.
(Credit: AP)
(CBS) Bella Santorum, the 3-year-old daughter of Republican
presidential candidate Rick Santorum, was hospitalized over the
weekend with pneumonia and complications from the genetic
disorder, Trisomy 18.
Also known as Edwards syndrome, Trisomy 18 occurs when a person
is born with three copies of the 18th chromosome, as opposed to
two. That extra chromosome interferes with typical childhood
development, causing children to be born with clenched hands,
crossed legs, feet with rounded bottoms, a small head and jaw,
and intellectual disabilities. The disorder can also cause
serious heart and kidney problems. Trisomy 18 occurs in about
one out of every 3,000 births. It is three times more common in
girls than boys, according to the National
Institutes of Health.
Unlike Down syndrome, which is caused by an extra chromosome
21, the issues caused by Trisomy 18 are associated with more
life-threatening medical complications and 50 percent of babies
with Trisomy 18 who are carried to term are stillborn,
according to the
Trisomy 18 Foundation.
"When a child is born in this situation, they very rarely make
it past the first week, because one or two problems can be
overwhelming and it just kind of piles up," Dr. Brian
McDonough, clinical professor of family medicine at Temple
University who is not involved in Bella's care, told
CBS Philly.
McDonough said that even a common cold can be deadly for a
child with the disorder. He said that since the Bella is over 3
years old, she's probably undergone a great deal of medical
care up until now.
"Going to the hospital certainly is not something that would be
unexpected," McDonough said, "but every time a child goes to
the hospital with Trisomy-18, you worry a great deal."
CBS News reported that on Sunday Rick Santorum said Bella
had a "miraculous turnaround" and remains in the hospital.
The
Trisomy 18 Foundation has more on the genetic disorder.
Read the original here:
Santorum's baby puts spotlight on genetic disorder