National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Chromosome 5p duplication



Other Names:
Duplication 5p; Trisomy 5p; 5p duplication; Duplication 5p; Trisomy 5p; 5p duplication; 5p trisomy; Partial trisomy 5p See More
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Chromosome 5p duplication is a chromosome abnormality that occurs when there is an extra copy of genetic material on the short arm (p) of chromosome 5. The severity of the condition and the signs and symptoms depend on the size and location of the duplication and which genes are involved. Features that often occur in people with chromosome 5p duplication include developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral problems and distinctive facial features.[1] Most cases are not inherited, but people can pass the duplication on to their children. Treatment is based on the signs and symptoms present in each person.  


Last updated: 6/29/2015

The signs and symptoms caused by a chromosome 5p duplication vary widely from person to person. In general, when there has been a gain of chromosomal material, the associated symptoms might include a combination of physical problems, health problems, learning difficulties and/or challenging behavior. These symptoms largely depend on the location of the duplication on the p arm and the genes that are affected. There are general characteristics of chromosome abnormalities that occur in the majority of affected people to varying degrees. Most people with any loss or gain of material will have some degree of learning disability and developmental delay. This is because there are many genes located across all these chromosomes that provide instructions for normal development and function of the brain. Defects in any one of them could affect a person’s development.[2]

There is limited information on how chromosome abnormalities like duplication 5p15.2pter impact growth and development. Since each abnormality is usually so rare, there are few cases to learn from, let alone conduct research. It is generally difficult to say what the future will hold for affected individuals, because even when the chromosome abnormalities are similar the health problems can vary widely.[2]

In general, many affected infants and children with a 5p duplication have abnormalities that include low muscle tone (hypotonia); an unusually large head (macrocephaly), and additional abnormalities of the head and facial (craniofacial) area; long, slender fingers (arachnodactyly); developmental delay; and intellectual disability. Some affected individuals may have heart defects and seizures. It is important to understand, however, that not all individuals with a duplication of 5p will have all of the aforementioned symptoms. In fact, some individuals may only experience developmental delay and intellectual disability and may not exhibit any other physical findings.[3]

The range and severity of associated symptoms and findings depend on the length and location of the duplicated portion of the chromosome. Characteristic physical features of 5p duplications have been reported in individuals with complete duplications of 5p as well as those with various partial duplications. Comparison of the features and the overlapping areas, allows for the definition of a critical region for various features. The critical region for heart abnormalities and seizures is the duplication of 15p13.3. Most physical features are due to a duplication of the bands 5p11 to 5p13.3.[3]

The critical region for developmental delay and intellectual disability is thought to be the duplication of 5p14 to 5p15. Those who only have the duplication of 5p14 to 5p15 may not have any physical findings. Two boys have been reported with no intellectual disability that have duplication from 5p15.1 to 5p15.3 near the terminus (which is toward the terminus but beyond the area for reported intellectual disability).[3]
Last updated: 11/29/2011

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of chromosome segregation 0002916
Abnormality of the metacarpal bones
Abnormality of the long bone of hand
0001163
Developmental regression
Loss of developmental milestones
Mental deterioration in childhood
[ more ]
0002376
Dolichocephaly
Long, narrow head
Tall and narrow skull
[ more ]
0000268
Frontal bossing 0002007
Hypertelorism
Wide-set eyes
Widely spaced eyes
[ more ]
0000316
Hypoplasia of penis
Underdeveloped penis
0008736
Intellectual disability, severe
Early and severe mental retardation
Mental retardation, severe
Severe mental retardation
[ more ]
0010864
Macrocephaly
Increased size of skull
Large head
Large head circumference
[ more ]
0000256
Obesity
Having too much body fat
0001513
Protruding ear
Prominent ear
Prominent ears
[ more ]
0000411
Ptosis
Drooping upper eyelid
0000508
Renal hypoplasia/aplasia
Absent/small kidney
Absent/underdeveloped kidney
[ more ]
0008678
Round face
Circular face
Round facial appearance
Round facial shape
[ more ]
0000311
Scoliosis 0002650
Short stature
Decreased body height
Small stature
[ more ]
0004322
Ventriculomegaly 0002119
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

The exact cause is unknown; but in most cases, 5p duplications appears to be caused by random (de novo) errors very early in embryonic development. In such instances, the parents of the affected child usually have normal chromosomes and a relatively low risk of having another child with the chromosomal abnormality. You will need to speak with a genetics professional about how a specific chromosome abnormality might be inherited in your family.[3]
Last updated: 11/29/2011

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease


These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Chromosome 5p duplication. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Chromosome 5p duplication. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Chromosome 5, Trisomy 5p. NORD. 2013; http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/chromosome-5-trisomy-5p/.
  2. Chromosomes and Rare Chromosome Disorders in General. Unique. September 2009; http://www.rarechromo.org/html/ChromosomesAndDisorders.asp. Accessed 11/29/2011.
  3. Chromosome 5, Trisomy 5p. NORD. 2010; http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/990/viewAbstract. Accessed 11/29/2011.