Triploidy

Triploidy is one of the most frequent chromosomal
aberrations in man (1). Possible causes
include a diploid spermatocyte, a diploid oocyte,
or fertilization of an egg cell by two spermatozoa
(dispermy, p. 196). Triploidy usually
leads to spontaneous miscarriage within the
first four months of pregnancy. The fetus shows
numerous severe malformations (2), such as
cardiac defects, cleft lip and palate, skeletal defects,
and others. The additional chromosome
setmay be of either maternal or paternal origin,
with different clinical consequences.