FAQ’s

 

Q. What is Dup 15q or IDIC 15?

A. Individuals born with a specific chromosomal section, 15q11-13, that has been duplicated. This section makes up the extra chromosome in IDIC 15. Giving them 47 chromosomes, instead of 46.

 

Q. How and why did this happen to my child?

A. After getting this diagnosis, parents wonder how this happened, and what caused it. IDIC 15 (in most cases) is not a condition that is inherited, it occurs randomly during the formation of reproductive cells. It is important to understand that there is nothing the parents did before or during the pregnancy to cause their child to be born with this.

 

Q. How is IDIC 15 diagnosed?

A. When it is suspected that there may be an issue with a child, the physician may order blood work and a chromosomal workup analysis to determine the karyotype. If it is questionable then a 15q FISH study will confirm this diagnosis.

 

Q. How common is this? How often does this occur?

A. Currently there are approx. 714 individuals with IDIC 15/Dup 15q

 

Q. What are the odds of having another child with IDIC 15? Is it genetic?

A. It occurs “randomly” with no family history of a previous condition. Therefore, these parents are not at any higher risk than anyone else of having another child with duplication 15. Genetic counseling of the family always follows this diagnosis.

 

Q. Is there any cure for IDIC 15?

A. No. Currently there is no cure that can undo the genetic pattern of this duplication, only the maintenance of symptoms associated with IDIC 15.