Ring 18

Ring 18 is a genetic condition caused by a deletion of the two tips of chromosome 18 followed by the formation of a ring-shaped chromosome. It was first reported in 1964. Ring 18 is a genetic condition caused by a deletion of the two tips of chromosome 18 followed by the formation of a ring-shaped chromosome. It was first reported in 1964. Ring 18 causes a wide range of medical and developmental concerns. As discussed above, people with ring 18 can have features of both distal 18q- and 18p-. The features of distal 18q- and 18p- vary greatly because of the variability of the deletion size and breakpoint locations between people. Because ring 18 can involve unique deletions of both the p and q arms of the chromosome there is twice as much reason for the variability between individuals. This variation is also partly attributable to the incidence of mosaicism, which is relatively common in people with ring 18. Individuals with ring 18 have one of their two copies of chromosome 18 that has formed the shape of a ring. The ring is formed when the caps on both the long arm (q) and the short arm (p) of one copy of chromosome 18 are lost and the new ends re-join to form the ring. Because the ring involves deletions of both the long arm (18q-) and the short arm (18p-) of chromosome 18, individuals with ring 18 can have features of both 18p- as well as distal 18q-. Suspicion of a chromosome abnormality is typically raised due to the presence of developmental delays or birth defects. Diagnosis of ring 18 is usually made via a blood sample. A routine chromosome analysis, or karyotype, is usually used to make the initial diagnosis, although it may also be made by microarray analysis. Increasingly, microarray analysis is also being used to clarify breakpoints. Prenatal diagnosis is possible via amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.