Further testing prior to birth or a test of a small amount of the infant's blood after birth is done to confirm chromosomal abnormality. There are many types of congenital anomalies reported in trisomy 18 or 13. Each syndrome has its own specific set of anomalies but also some common anomalies such as the presence of cardiac defects which occur with high frequency in both trisomy 18 and 13. Some abnormalities do not affect the infant's health, making treatment unnecessary or optional. SOFT has a list of surgeries done, as reported by parents, which may be helpful information for your child's doctor or surgeon.
SOFT records list many older living children.
As the child with trisomy 18 or trisomy 13 ages, many of the early problems become more manageable as doctors and parents work together to find solutions. Periodic health check-ups, often with different specialists, will monitor your child's health and help prevent or treat new problems. Somewhere along the way, parents shift from waiting for the baby to die to focusing on the many challenges of caring for a handicapped child and finding ways to help them develop their potential. However, when a medical crisis occurs, parents again face decisions and emotions related to the possibility of their child dying. Further testing and genetic counseling may be appropriate.