Chromosome anomalies in Sri Lanka. a cytogenetic profile

Abstract

The spectrum of chromosome anomalies detectedin a population refrred tothe human genetics unit, faculty of medicine, Colombo, using lymphocyte culture and giemsa banding technique, is reported. The availability and usefulness of chromosome analysis and its direct application in the preventive and curative aspects of medicine is stressed. Down syndrome showed a significantly high incedence, but with an unexpectedly high frequency of trisome 21 due to non-disjunction in young parent. The possibility of the existence of other genetics or environmental factors stronger than the influence of ageing gemetic cells, which might trigger off non-disjunction in young Sri Lankans, is suggested