Prenatal diagnosis of the Dandy-Walker malformation and ventriculomegaly associated with partial trisomy 9p and distal 12p deletion.

Objectives: To present the prenatal diagnosis and perinatal findings of partial trisomy 9p and distal 12p deletion.
Methods and Results: Amniocentesis was performed at 17 gestational weeks due to a balanced reciprocal translocation t(9;12)(p11.2;p13.3) in the mother. The father's karyotype was normal. The family had a 5-year-old daughter with a Dandy-Walker malformation and a trisomy 9p syndrome. Cytogenetic analysis of the cultured amniotic fluid cells revealed a 46,XY,der(12)t(9;12)(p11.2;p13.3)mat karyotype with partial monosomy 12p(12pter-->p13.3) and partial trisomy 9p(9pter-->p11.2). Sonographic examination of the fetal brain and skull showed bilateral ventriculomegaly, brachycephaly and a Dandy-Walker malformation with an enlarged cisterna magna and absence of the cerebellar vermis. The pregnancy was terminated subsequently. At autopsy, the proband manifested agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and a typical trisomy 9p phenotype.
Conclusion: Fetuses with partial trisomy 9p(9pter-->p11.2) may present a Dandy-Walker malformation and ventriculomegaly on prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester. A dosage effect of genes located on 9pter-->p11.2 may be associated with the abnormal development of the central nervous system in patients with partial or complete trisomy 9.
(Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)