Human beings normally have a total of 46 chromosomes, with each chromosome present twice, apart from the X and Y chromosomes in males. Some three million people worldwide, however, have 47 chromosomes: they have a small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) in addition to the 46 normal ones. This sSMC can originate from any one of the 24 human chromosomes and can have different shapes. Approximately one third of sSMC carriers show clinical symptoms, while the remaining two thirds manifest no phenotypic effects.

This guide represents the first book ever published on this topic. It presents the latest research results on sSMC and current knowledge about the genotype-phenotype correlation. The focus is on genetic diagnostics as well as on prenatal and fertility-related genetic counseling. A unique feature is that research meets practice: numerous patient reports complement the clinical aspects and depict the experiences of families living with a family member with an sSMC.

From the contents:
Introduction

Inheritance of sSMC
Formation of sSMC
sSMC in genetic diagnostics and counseling
sSMC known to be correlated with specific syndromes
Centric sSMC
Neocentric sSMC by chromosome
Multiple sSMC
sSMC additionally to other chromosomal rearrangements
Complex sSMC
sSMC and tumor
Appendix: Patient organizations in connection with sSMC.-Glossary.