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Medical Definition of Chromosome 17
1. Chromosome 17 imbalances are not compatible with life. The phenotype of 17q2 trisomy, which is caused by a malsegregation of a parental translocation, includes microcephaly with high forehead, frontal bossing, high hairline with widow's peak, short thick neck, squinty eyes, large mouth with downturned corners, brachyrhizomelia, hexadactyly and severe mental retardation. Severe inner organ malformations are reported in patients with trisomy 17q23. Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most common peripheral neuropathy, occurring at a frequency of 1 in 2500. The most prevalent form of the disease, type 1 Charcot-Marie-Tooth , is characterised by significantly reduced nerve conduction velocities. The disease phenotype has been shown to segregate with a submicroscopic DNA duplication within 17p11.2, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1a patients are reported with cytogenetically visible duplication of 17p11.1-17p12. The disease phenotype is probably due to a gene dosage effect. Miller-Dieker syndrome is comprised of a characteristic facial appearance and lissencephaly (smooth brain). Most Miller-Dieker syndrome patients have microdeletions of 17p13.3, detectable cytogenetically or submicroscopically. Smith-Magenis syndrome is a clinically recognizable multiple congenital anomaly/MR syndrome associated with deletion of chromosome 17(p11.2). The patients show dysmorphic features including broad flat midface with brachycephaly, broad nasal bridge, brachydactyly, speech delay and hoarse deep voice, short stature, developmental delay and self- destructive behaviour, primarily onychotillomania and polyembolokoilamania, and sleep disturbances. Gene assignments include the p53 tumour suppressor, Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1a,8 galactokinase and Niemann-Pick disease. (05 Mar 2000)