Definition of Microduplication

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Microduplication: The gain of a tiny piece of a chromosome, a piece so small its presence is not apparent on ordinary examination (using a regular light microscope to look at chromosomes prepared in the usual fashion). The detection of microduplications requires special techniques such as high-resolution chromosome banding, molecular chromosome analysis (with FISH), or molecular genetic analysis.

Disorders caused by microduplications include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) and the microduplication 22q11.2 syndrome.

The prefix "micro-" is derived from the Greek "mikros" meaning small. It diminishes whatever it precedes.