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Living with Mosaic trisomy 20

A rare chromosome condition that is often mild or has no signs, but can cause spine differences, low muscle tone, constipation, and skin color changes.

Understanding Mosaic trisomy 20

Mosaic trisomy 20 is a rare chromosome condition in which some cells have an extra copy of chromosome 20.

Most people have no signs. Others have a mild, subtle form with spine differences, low muscle tone, lifelong constipation, sloping shoulders, streaks of skin color change, and learning disabilities despite normal intelligence. More severe cases have developmental and speech delay, mild facial differences, and heart and kidney differences. Signs are seen during pregnancy or in the newborn period.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Spine differences
  • Long-lasting constipation
  • Low muscle tone in infancy (floppy infant)
  • Skin color changes and light streaks
  • Sloping shoulders
  • Mild developmental delay

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Chromosome Disorder Outreach
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Which tests confirm the mosaic pattern?
How should the spine be monitored?
What can help with constipation and learning?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn

This condition is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 20 in some, but not all, of the body's cells. GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause it.

Genetic

Also known as: mosaic trisomy 20 syndrome; mosaic trisomy chromosome 20; mosaic trisomy type 20; trisomy 20 mosaicism

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Mosaic trisomy 20GARD ID 18744 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Mosaic trisomy 20.

Explore the Mosaic trisomy 20 blog

Explore research for Mosaic trisomy 20

Explore actively recruiting Mosaic trisomy 20 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Mosaic trisomy 20 with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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