Trisomy 18 associated with ectopia cordis and occipital meningocele

A premature infant presented with ectopia cordis, occipital meningocele, and manifestations of trisomy 18; cytogenetic analysis confirmed a 47,XX,+18 chromosome constitution. While most cases of ectopia cordis appear as isolated, sporadic defects, careful evaluation is warranted to detect evidence of an associated chromosome abnormality.