Prevalence of karyotype alterations in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss in a tertiary center in Brazil

Abstract Objective To assess the prevalence and type of chromosomal abnormalities in Brazilian couples with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and compare the clinical characteristics of couples with and without chromosome abnormalities. Methods We assessed the medical records of 127 couples with a history of two or more miscarriages, referred to a tertiary academic hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, from January 2014 to May 2023. Karyotype was generated from peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures, and cytogenetic analysis was performed according to standard protocols by heat-denatured Giemsa (RHG) banding. Results Abnormal karyotypes were detected in 10 couples (7.8%). The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was higher among females (6.3%) compared to males (2.0%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.192). The mean number of miscarriages was. 3.3 ± 1.1 in couples with chromosome abnormalities and 3.1 ± 1.5 in couples without chromosome abnormalities (p=0.681). Numerical chromosomal anomalies (6 cases) were more frequent than structural anomalies. Four women presented low-grade Turner mosaicism. No differences were found between couples with and without karyotype alterations, except for maternal age, which was higher in the group with chromosome alterations. Conclusion The prevalence of parental chromosomal alterations in our study was higher than in most series described in the literature and was associated with increased maternal age. These findings suggest that karyotyping should be part of the investigation for Brazilian couples with RPL, as identifying the genetic etiology may have implications for subsequent pregnancies.

Copy number variation analysis and outcomes of 1 658 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the genetic etiology and prognosis in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) in order to assist in the clinical prenatal genetic counseling and diagnosis.Methods:This study retrospectively enrolled 1 658 cases of singleton pregnancy (<35 years old) receiving invasive prenatal diagnosis, including karyotype analysis and/or chromosome microarray analysis or copy number variation (CNV) sequencing, due to NT value ≥2.5 mm in the first trimester in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from August 2014 to December 2021. They were divided into different groups according to the thickness of NT (≥2.5-<3.0, ≥3.0-<3.5, ≥3.5-<4.5, ≥4.5-<5.5, ≥5.5-<6.5 and ≥6.5 mm groups) and abnormal ultrasound findings (isolated increased NT group, increased NT complicated by soft markers/non-severe structural abnormality group and increased NT complicated by severe structural abnormality group). The results of invasive prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcomes were compared between different groups using Chi-square test and trend Chi-square test. Results:The detection rates of numerical abnormalities of chromosomes were 15.8% (262/1 658) and 17.6% (252/1 431) when the NT thickness cut-off value were 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm, respectively. Overall, the detection rate of numerical abnormalities of chromosomes increased with thickness of NT ( χ2trend=180.75, P<0.001), ranging from 6.6% (44/671) in the NT≥2.5-<3.5 mm group to 45.6% (113/248) in the NT≥5.5 mm group. The incidence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic CNV(P/LP CNV) did not increased with NT thickness ( χ2trend=3.26, P=0.071), and the highest detection rate was observed in the NT≥4.5-<5.5 mm group (9.0%, 19/211). The detection rate of numerical abnormalities of chromosomes plus P/LP CNV in the isolated NT≥2.5-<3.0 mm group and NT≥3.0-<3.5 mm group were 5.3% (10/188) and 9.6% (36/375), respectively, however, the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2=3.06, P=0.080). The detection rates of numerical abnormalities of chromosomes plus P/LP CNV in the isolated NT≥3.5-<4.5 mm group and NT≥2.5-<3.0 mm complicated by soft markers/ non-severe structural abnormality group were 12.7% (52/410) and 24.1% (7/29), respectively, and the risk were 2.6 times (95% CI: 1.3-5.2) and 5.7 times (95% CI: 2.0-16.4) of the isolated NT≥2.5-<3.0 mm group, respectively. The pregnancy termination rate increased with the NT thickness ( χ2trend=304.42, P<0.001), ranging from 10.8% (23/212) in the NT≥2.5-<3.0 mm group to 90.7% (117/129) in the NT≥6.5 mm group. After exclusion of the pregnancies terminated due to numerical abnormalities of chromosomes and P/LP CNV, 87.6% (862/984) of the fetus with increased NT were born alive. Conclusions:The detection rate of numerical abnormalities of chromosomes increases with the thickness of NT. Invasive prenatal diagnosis is required for non-advance aged singleton pregnant women when fetuses present with isolated NT≥2.5 mm with or without soft markers/structural abnormalities.

Prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcome of fetuses with isolated echogenic bowel / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of isolated fetal echogenic bowel (FEB) as an indicator for invasive prenatal diagnosis.Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 183 pregnant women who were diagnosed with isolated FEB and underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from August 2013 to January 2021. Clinical data including the results of conventional karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA loads in amniotic fluid and pregnancy outcomes were reviewed analyzed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis Results:Karyotyping was performed on all of the 183 fetuses and three (1.64%) aneuploidies (one case of trisomy 21, one trisomy 18 and one 47,XYY syndrome) were detected. One trisomy 21 and four pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) copy number variation (CNV) were detected among 108 fetuses who received CMA. The detection rate of P/LP chromosomal abnormalities by CMA was higher than that by karyotyping, but there was no significant difference between them [4.63% (5/108) vs 0.93% (1/108), χ 2=1.54, P>0.05]. In addition, three cases of variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) were detected by CMA. CMV DNA loads of fetal cells in the amniotic fluid samples of the 166 cases were determined, and only one (0.6%) was positive (CMV DNA up to 7.01×10 6 copies/ml), and no abnormalities were found in karyotype analysis and CMA detection. A total of 176 cases were followed up, and among them only one case of intrauterine infection and seven cases (three aneuploidies and four P/LP CNV) of chromosomal abnormalities were terminated after genetic counseling. Three fetuses with VOUS and other 165 fetuses without chromosomal abnormalities had a good prognosis after birth. Conclusions:Isolated FEB may be the abnormal ultrasound finding in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities or CMV infection. Prenatal genetic testing and the exclusion of intrauterine infection are important for management during pregnancy and prognosis assessment of FEB.

Clinical features and prognosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia children with intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) children with intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21 (iAMP21).Methods:The data of 233 children diagnosed with B-ALL who received chemotherapy according to Chinese Children Cancer Group (CCCG) - acute lymphoblastic leukemia -2015 (CCCG-ALL-2015) protocol in the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into iAMP21 group and non-iAMP21 group according to whether iAMP21 was positive in the bone marrow fluid of children before chemotherapy based on ETV6-RUNX1 probe fluorescence in situ hybridization. Children in iAMP21 group received CCCG-ALL-2015 intermediate-risk group regimen induction chemotherapy, while children in non-iAMP21 group received different intensities of chemotherapy according to the clinical risk classification. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients were compared in both groups, the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of B-ALL children with iAMP21 was analyzed.Results:iAMP21 was found in 5 (2.1%) of 233 B-ALL children. The median hemoglobin concentration in iAMP21 group was higher than that in non-iAMP21 group [99 g/L (71-148 g/L) vs. 74 g/L (30-156 g/L); U = 268.50, P = 0.043]; there were 4 cases (80%) with bone pain in iAMP21 group (5 cases) and 53 cases (23.2%) with bone pain in non-iAMP21 group (228 cases),and the difference in the osteoarticular pain incidence of both groups was statistically significant ( χ2 = 8.53, P = 0.017). There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with different gender, age, white blood cell counts, platelet counts, hepatosplenomegaly between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Among 5 children with iAMP21, 1 patient was detected with high CRLF2 expression and 1 patient with IKZF1 1-8 exon loss of heterozygosity. The above mentioned two children with iAMP21, whose minimal residual disease (MRD) were still positive after consolidation therapy, and then they received chimeric antigen receptor T-cell treatment and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. MRD of the other 3 children with iAMP21 turned negative after induction therapy. Up to the last follow-up in October 2021, 5 patients with iAMP21 had disease-free survival. Conclusions:The incidence of B-ALL children with iAMP21 is about 2%. These patients are prone to osteoarticular pain and have relatively mild anemia. The curative effect of some children is still poor after active treatment,which needs to be further clarified with more samples.

Genetic characteristics and prognostic analysis of 162 fetal cardiac abnormalities / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To analyze the type and characteristics of fetal cardiac abnormalities and their relationships with genetic abnormalities and clinical prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 162 pregnant women with fetal cardiac abnormalities who came to the prenatal diagnosis center of Peking University First Hospital and performed genetic tests from February 2013 to February 2021 were reviewed. Genetic testing methods included chromosome karyotype analysis, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and pathogenic gene detection. Fetuses with isolated cardiac abnormalities and no fatal genetic abnormalities were assessed using the fetal cardiac birth defects clinical outcome score and followed up.Results:(1) Ultrasonography results: among the 162 fetuses, 86 cases (53.1%, 86/162) had isolated cardiac abnormalities, and 76 cases (46.9%, 76/162) had extra-cardiac abnormalities; single cardiac abnormalities were in 84 (51.9%,84/162) cases, and multiple cardiac abnormalities occurred in 78 cases (48.1%,78/162). (2) Genetic examination results: there were 39 cases (24.1%, 39/162) of pathogenic genetic abnormalities, including 35 cases (21.6%, 35/162) of pathogenic chromosome karyotype abnormality, 3 cases (1.9%, 3/162) of pathogenic copy number variant (CNV), and 1 case (0.6%, 1/162) of pathogenic gene variation. The detection rates of pathogenic genetic abnormalities were 16.3% (14/86) in fetuses with isolated cardiac abnormalities and 32.9% (25/76) in fetuses with cardiac abnormalities and extra-cardiac abnormalities, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.094, P=0.014). The detection rate of genetic abnormalities was 28.6% (24/84) in the single cardiac abnormalities, among which ventricular septal defect was 36.7% (11/30), atrioventricular septal defect was 8/13, tetralogy of Fallot was 3/17, persistent trancus arteriosus was 1/1, cardiac tumor was 1/1; no genetic abnormality was detected in the other single cardiac abnormality types (22 cases in total). The main types of pathogenic genetic abnormalities were trisomy 21 (41.7%, 10/24) and trisomy 18 (41.7%, 10/24). (3) Pregnancy outcome and fetal prognosis: among 72 fetuses with isolated heart abnormalities without pathogenic genetic abnormalities, there were 4 cases of grade Ⅰ, all of which continued pregnancy; 39 cases of grade Ⅱ, with 21 cases induced labor, 18 cases continued pregnancy; 26 cases of grade Ⅲ, with 23 cases induced labor, 3 cases continued pregnancy; 3 cases of grade Ⅳ, all of which induced labor. Totally, there were 47 cases induced labor and 25 cases continued pregnancy, 24 cases (96.0%, 24/25) of which were alive. Conclusions:When fetal cardiac abnormalities are detected by prenatal ultrasound, comprehensive cardiac and extra-cardiac ultrasound assessment and further genetic testing are recommended. Fetuses excluded pathogenic genetic abnormalities and extra-cardiac abnormalities should perform clinical prognostic score evaluation through multidisciplinary collaboration, to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Genetic analysis of 387 cases of fetal sex chromosome abnormalities detected from amniotic fluid samples / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze fetal sex chromosome abnormalities in prenatal diagnosis based on amniotic fluid cell culture.Methods:Clinical data of 12 164 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. For those diagnosed with fetal sex chromosome abnormalities, the results of karyotyping and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) were analyzed and described.Results:(1) Among the 12 164 cases, fetal sex chromosome abnormalities were detected in 387 cases (3.2%), including 351 cases with abnormal sex chromosome karyotype and 36 with sex chromosome microdeletion/microduplication. (2) High-risk patients indicated by non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) had the highest proportion of sex chromosomes abnormalities (74.2%, 287/387), followed by those with other ultrasound abnormalities (8.5%, 33/387), high risk of Down syndrome screening (7.0%, 27/387), advanced maternal age (4.7%, 18/387), history of adverse pregnant or delivery (3.3%, 13/387), and nuchal translucency thickening or cervical lymphatic hygroma (2.3%, 9/387). (3) Detected chromosome karyotype abnormalities included numerical abnormalities [73.2%(257/351)], mosaicism [18.8(66/351)], and structural abnormalities [8.0%(28/351)], among which, 47,XXY [46.7%(120/257)], 45,X/46,XX[48.5%(32/66)], and X chromosome deletion [39.3%(11/28)] were the most common, respectively. Among 36 sex chromosome microdeletions/microduplications cases, 15(41.7%) were with pathogenic copy number variation (CNV), including 14 cases of X chromosome microdeletion/microduplication; 7(19.4%) with benign CNV, and 14(38.9%) with CNV of unknown clinical significance. The fragment size [ M (min-max)] of the 15 pathogenic CNV was 1.68 Mb(0.37-9.20 Mb). Of the nine cases with microdeletions, seven were found with deletion in the Xp22.31 region. Conclusions:Numerical abnormalities are the most common fetal sex chromosome abnormalities detected from amniotic fluid samples. Others included mosaicism and chromosome structure abnormalities.

Correlation of fetal cervical cystic hygroma with chromosomal and structural abnormalities: analysis of 70 cases / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the correlation of fetal cervical cystic hygroma (CCH) with chromosomal and structural abnormalities and to assess the prognosis of CCH.Methods:This study retrospectively enrolled 70 fetuses with CCH diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University from July 2015, to December 2021. According to whether complicated by structural malformations or other anomalies, all the subjects were divided into the non-isolated and isolated CCH groups. The correlation of CCH and the gestational age at detection with chromosomal and structural abnormalities were analyzed and the prognosis of the cases were summarized using Chi-square test. Results:There were 34 isolated CCH (34/70, 49%) and 36 non-isolated CCH (36/70, 51%) among the 70 cases. In the non-isolated CCH group, there were eight cases (22%, 8/36) with abnormal heart structure, ten (28%, 10/36) with abnormal anterior abdominal wall, 16 (44%,16/36) with systemic edema and/or pleural effusion, one (3%,1/36) with craniocerebral abnormalities and one with holoprosencephaly and cardiac structural abnormalities. Eighteen out of 44 cases undergoing chromosome testing had chromosomal abnormalities, which were trisomy-18 ( n=6), trisomy-21 ( n=3), trisomy-13 ( n=3), 45,XO ( n=3), and chromosome segment duplication or deletion ( n=3). The detection rate of chromosome abnormality was higher in non-isolated CCH group comparing with isolated CCH group [59%(13/22) vs 23%(5/22), χ2=6.02, P=0.014]. There was no significant difference in the gestational age at the detection of CCH or proportion of women of advanced maternal age between the isolated and non-isolated CCH groups (both P>0.05). The ratios of isolated CCH cases with normal chromosome detected at the gestational weeks of 14-27 +6 was higher than those detected at 11-13 +6 weeks [62%(13/21) vs 17%(4/23), χ2=7.39, P=0.001]. Out of the 17 cases with isolated CCH and normal chromosomes, 12 were live births. One of the 12 cases still had a cystic mass with a diameter of 3 cm in the neck nine months after birth, and the other 11 cases had no mass at birth but one case died at the age of five months (hospitalized one week for neonatal edema),one case was found with anal atresia three days after birth and underwent operation and the remaining nine cases were normal during five months to six years follow-up. Conclusions:Non-isolated CCH is at a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities. Isolated CCH cases detected later had higher rate of normal chromosome and often have a higher survival rate.

Copy number variant sequencing for chromosome analysis in 487 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the genetic etiology of 487 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) using copy number variant sequencing (CNV-seq) and explore the relationship between increased NT and chromosomal abnormality.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on 487 fetuses with increased NT who received CNV-seq in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2020. These fetuses either had NT of ≥3.0-<3.5 mm (Group A, n=129) or ≥3.5 mm (Group B, n=358), the distribution and incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the two sets of fetuses were analyzed using Chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Results:Fetuses with abnormal chromosomes accounted for 25.9%(126/487) of cases, including 107 with chromosome aneuploidy (22.0%) and 19 with pathogenic or likely pathogenic copy number variation (CNV, 3.9%). The detection rate of fetal aneuploidy in Group B was higher than that in Group A [14.0% (18/129) vs 24.9% (89/358), χ2=6.58, P=0.010]. However, no significant difference was observed regarding the detection rate of pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV between the two groups ( χ2=0.30, P=0.584). Conclusions:The risk of fetal chromosome aneuploidy increased with NT thickness, but not with pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV, which needed further verification due to the small sample size. CNV-seq is an option to detect the conventional detection methods for the genetic etiology of NT thickening fetuses.

Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal follow-up of 27 cases with 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 microdeletion syndrome / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To summarize the prenatal diagnosis and postnatal follow-up of 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 microdeletion syndrome (Burnside-Butler syndrome, BBS), and provide a reference for the management of BBS.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 27 singleton pregnancies with fetal BBS that were prenatally diagnosed by single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) array of amniotic fluid in Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2017 to September 2021. Prenatal diagnosis indications, serological screening, prenatal ultrasound features, SNP array results, and postnatal growth and development were described and summarized.Results:(1) Of the 27 cases, the indications of prenatal diagnosis in 14 cases were abnormal sonographic findings, including eight cases with increased nuchal translucency, two with cleft lip and palate/alveolar process cleft, one with fetal multiple joint contracture syndrome, one with fetal right diaphragmatic hernia and single umbilical artery, one with suspected fetal duodenal atresia and one with nasal bone absence. Other indications included high risk of Down syndrome by serological screening in six cases, history of adverse pregnancy in six cases, and advanced age in one case. (2) Karyotyping of amniotic fluid in these 27 BBS fetuses showed normal results and SNP array indicated the deletion range of 311.8-855.3 kb. Parental verification of 23 cases confirmed one was a new mutation, seven were inherited from the father and 15 from the mother. (3) Five pregnancies were terminated in the second trimester and the remaining 22 cases were live births. (4) The median follow-up of the 22 children was 1 year 8 months (range 0.5 months to 4 years 3 months), which found low body weight and/or growth retardation in six cases, low body weight with language retardation in one case, low body weight with growth retardation and hyperactive behavior in one case, language retardation with left ear appendage in one case, cleft palate accompanied by duodenum/cleft lip and alveolar cleft in two cases without abnormal development after surgical treatment, and no abnormal growth in the remaining 11 cases.Conclusion:For BBS fetuses, the proportion of ultrasound abnormalities is high but with a low specificity in prenatal diagnosis, and the risk of abnormal postnatal growth and development/behavior is high, which requires continuous monitoring.

Application of noninvasive prenatal DNA screening combined with nuchal translucency thickness measurement in the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the application value of noninvasive prenatal DNA screening combined with nuchal translucency thickness measurement in the diagnosis of fetal chromosome aneuploidy.Methods:A total of 5 730 pregnant women who were screened for fetal chromosomal diseases in the Quzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2017 to March 2019 were included in this study. All of them underwent noninvasive prenatal DNA screening and nuchal translucency thickness measurement. The results of amniocentesis were used as the gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive prenatal DNA screening, nuchal translucency thickness measurement and their combination.Results:Noninvasive prenatal DNA screening revealed that 64 (1.12%) women out of 5 730 pregnant women had high risk of developing chromosomal abnormalities. Ultrasound examination results showed that nuchal translucency was thickened in 140 (2.44%) women. The outcome of adverse pregnancy increased with the increase of nuchal translucency thickness. Among the 68 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis, 51 women developed chromosomal abnormalities, with trisomy 21 syndrome being the majority (23/51,45.10%). The diagnostic efficacy of noninvasive prenatal DNA screening combined with nuchal translucency thickness measurement in the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy reached the ideal level.Conclusion:Noninvasive prenatal DNA screening combined with nuchal translucency thickness measurement has a high clinical application value. The combined method can be used as the main prenatal DNA screening method for pregnant women and it can effectively avoid the birth of children with chromosomal abnormalities.

Prenatal diagnosis indications and pregnancy outcomes and its impact factors in 1 372 pregnant women with fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the indications for prenatal diagnosis and summarize the pregnancy outcomes and its influencing factors of pregnant women with fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA).Methods:This study retrospectively enrolled 1 372 fetuses prenatally diagnosed with SCA in Medical Genetics Center of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital from January 2013 to December 2021. The relationship between prenatal diagnosis indications and SCA as well as between ultrasound abnormalities, pregnancy outcomes and SCA types were analyzed by Chi-square test and trend Chi-square test. Results:The most common prenatal diagnosis indication was abnormal non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) (61.6%, 845/1 372). The most common SCA type was 47,XXY in cases with indications of abnormal NIPT and advanced maternal age, mosaic in cases with high or borderline risk of Down syndrome, and 45,X in cases with increased nuchal translucency or cystic hygroma. Of 1 372 pregnant women with fetal SCA, 17 were lost to follow-up, seven had intrauterine fetal death, and 1 348 (98.3%) were followed up for pregnancy outcomes including 36.3% (489/1 348) continued pregnancies and 63.7% (859/1 348) terminations. Pregnancy termination rates decreased sequentially in pregnant women carrying fetuses with 45,X, 47,XXY, mosaic, 47,XXX and 47,XYY [99.2% (247/249), 74.5% (307/412), 67.8% (156/230), 36.6% (86/235) and 28.4% (63/222), χ2trend=352.76, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in pregnancy termination rates among the cases with different mosaic mutations (all P>0.05). The pregnancy termination rate was higher in fetuses with SCA complicated by ultrasound structural abnormalities than in those without ultrasound abnormalities and those with ultrasound soft markers [91.5% (182/199) vs 57.1% (535/937) and 67.0% (142/212), χ2 were 83.68 and 36.85, both P<0.001]. Moreover, the pregnancy termination rate in fetuses with SCA complicated by ultrasound soft markers was higher than those without ultrasound abnormalities ( χ2=7.13, P<0.05). Conclusions:NIPT abnormality is the most common indication for prenatal diagnosis of SCA. The types of SCA and ultrasound findings are important factors determining whether the pregnancy would be continued or not.

Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of intellectual disability caused by Xq25 microduplication in a pedigree / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of a 27-year-old male patient with intellectual disability and his pedigree to provide a reference for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.Methods:G-banding and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) were performed to analyze the karyotypes and genomic copy number variations of the proband (Ⅲ-1) and his family members. Based on the results, prenatal diagnosis was performed for one pregnant woman (Ⅲ-2) in the pedigree who is the sister of the proband.Results:All karyotyping were normal in the family members, while aCGH results showed a 1 533 kb microduplication in the Xq25 region of the proband, his mother (Ⅱ-3), his uncle (Ⅱ-2), and his sister (Ⅲ-2), which was confirmed to be pathogenic. The proband and his uncle presented with intellectual disability, bradylalia, and facial dysmorphism. In contrast, his mother and sister showed normal phenotypes. His sister's fetal karyotype and aCGH results were normal, and the pregnancy continued. A male baby (Ⅳ-1) was delivered vaginally at term and showed no physical or intellectual abnormalities during a 46-month follow-up.Conclusions:Xq25 microduplication might be the cause of intellectual disability in the proband. STAG2 is probably the essential gene in Xq25 region.

Frecuencia de discapacidad intelectual de etiología genética debida a rearreglos cromosómicos crípticos / Frequency of intellectual disability of genetic etiology due to cryptic chromosome arrangements

Introducción: la discapacidad intelectual se considera un problema de salud pública global, la prevalencia oscila entre el 1% al 3% de la población mundial, cifra de la que se estima el origen genético estaría representado por el 5-7% de síndromes subteloméricos. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar la frecuencia de discapacidad intelectual de etiología genética debida a rearreglos cromosómicos crípticos en 69 pacientes del IDAI. Material y Métodos. El estudio descriptivo de corte transversal se realizó en el Instituto de Genética en 69 pacientes con discapacidad intelectual de 5 a 18 años del Instituto de Adaptación Infantil (IDAI). El estudio fue dividido en tres etapas, la primera consistió en la elaboración de la historia clínica genética, seguidamente, se realizó el estudio de cariotipo en sangre periférica a todos los pacientes, finalmente, con la sospecha diagnóstica se realizó citogenética molecular a nueve de ellos, empleando una sonda locus específica. Resultados. Se encontró 43.48% de rearreglos cromosómicos, 24.67% correspondió a síndromes crípticos, de estos el 7.25% respondió a síndromes subteloméricos. Se observó mayor afectación en la población masculina: 45 hombres (65%) y 24 mujeres (35%), obteniendo una razón de sexo de 1.88 a favor del sexo masculino. Conclusiones. Se debe considerar la causa genética en toda discapacidad intelectual idiopática, sobre todo la debida a rearreglos cromosómicos crípticos . Para confirmar la sospecha diagnóstica se emplean técnicas de citogenética clásica y de hibridación fluorescente in situ , de esta manera se llega a un diagnóstico más preciso para coadyuvar en el asesoramiento genético del paciente.

Introduction. Intellectual disability is considered a global public health problem, the prevalence ranges from 1% to 3% of the world population, a figure whose genetic origin is estimated to be represented by 5-7% of subtelomeric syndromes. The objective of this research was to determine the frequency of intellectual disability of genetic etiology due to cryptic chromosomal rearrangements in 69 patients of IDAI. Material and methods. The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Genetics in 69 patients with intellectual disabilities from 5 to 18 years of age from the Institute for Child Adaptation (IDAI). The study was divided into three stages, the first consisted of preparing the genetic clinical history, then peripheral blood karyotyping was performed on all patients, finally, with suspected diagnosis, molecular cytogenetics was performed on nine of them, using a locus-specific probe. Results. 43.48% of chromosomal rearrangements were found, 24.67% corresponded to cryptic syndromes, of these 7.25% responded to subtelomeric syndromes. Greater involvement was observed in the male population: 45 men (65%) and 24 women (35%), obtaining a sex ratio of 1.88 in favor of the male sex. Conclusions. The genetic cause must be considered in all idiopathic intellectual disability, especially that due to cryptic chromosomal rearrangements. To confirm the diagnostic suspicion, classical cytogenetics and fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques are used, thus reaching a more precise diagnosis to assist in the genetic counseling of the patient.

Estudios citogenéticos en pacientes con fallas reproductivas. Pinar del Río, 2015-2020 / Cytogenetic studies in patients with reproductive failure. Pinar del Río, 2015-2020

RESUMEN Introducción: el estudio citogenético en linfocitos de sangre periférica es una herramienta muy utilizada para el diagnóstico de diferentes cromosomopatías de origen genético en pacientes con fallas reproductivas. Objetivo: describir los resultados del diagnóstico citogenético postnatal realizado a los pacientes con fallas reproductivas. Métodos: se efectuó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo en la provincia de Pinar del Río de enero del año 2015 hasta diciembre del 2020, a partir de los resultados del diagnóstico cromosómico en sangre periférica en pacientes que fueron remitidos al centro provincial de genética médica por fallas reproductivas, los cuales se clasificaron en tres grupos de acuerdo con el criterio de indicación. Resultados: en el período analizado, se diagnosticaron 12 casos con anomalías cromosómicas, de los cuales el 58,3 % correspondieron a aneuploidías cromosómicas numéricas, el 25 % a mosaicos cromosómicos y el 17 % con aberraciones cromosómicas estructurales. Resaltar que el 9 % de los casos diagnosticados presentaban variantes polimórficas, sobre todo del cromosoma 9. El aborto espontáneo fue el motivo de indicación más frecuente para el estudio citogenético. Conclusiones: es relevante la importancia del estudio citogenético en sangre periférica a las personas con fallas reproductivas, con el fin de establecer un diagnóstico certero, oportuno y brindar en el asesoramiento genético los elementos etiológicos para las opciones reproductivas futuras de estas parejas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: cytogenetic study in peripheral blood lymphocytes is a widely used tool for the diagnosis of different chromosomal pathologies of genetic origin in patients with reproductive failure. Objective: to describe the results of postnatal cytogenetic diagnosis in patients with reproductive failure. Methods: a descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in Pinar del Río province from January 2015 to December 2020, based on the results of chromosomal diagnosis in peripheral blood in patients who were referred to the provincial center of medical genetics for reproductive failures, which were classified into 3 groups according to the indication criteria. Results: in the analyzed period, 12 cases with chromosomal anomalies were diagnosed, where 58,3 % corresponded to numerical chromosomal aneuploidies, 25 % to chromosomal mosaics and 17 % to structural chromosomal aberrations. It should be pointed out that 9 % of the diagnosed cases presented polymorphic variants, especially of chromosome-9. Spontaneous abortion was the most frequent reason for indication for cytogenetic study. Conclusions: the importance of cytogenetic study in peripheral blood is relevant in people with reproductive failure, in order to establish an accurate and timely diagnosis and to provide genetic counseling with etiological elements for the future reproductive options of these couples.

Grupos de riesgo citogenético de leucemia mieloide aguda pediátrica a partir del análisis de supervivencia en un hospital de referencia para cáncer en Perú / Cytogenetic risk groups for childhood acute myeloid leukemia based on survival analysis in a cancer referral hospital from Perú

Resumen | Introducción. La leucemia mieloide aguda es una neoplasia heterogénea caracterizada por la proliferación de células mieloides inmaduras. El análisis citogenético ha revelado la presencia de aberraciones cromosómicas de importancia en el pronóstico del paciente. Objetivo. Determinar los grupos de riesgo citogenético de pacientes pediátricos con leucemia mieloide aguda a partir de la supervivencia global. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio observacional de corte transversal. Se incluyeron los registros clínicos de los pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de leucemia mieloide aguda de novo admitidos en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas entre el 2001 y el 2011 y sometidos a análisis citogenético de médula ósea. Los grupos de riesgo citogenético se establecieron según los criterios del Medical Research Council. Las curvas de supervivencia global se elaboraron con el método de Kaplan-Meier y se compararon mediante la prueba de Mantel-Cox y una regresión de Cox, utilizando el programa R, versión 3.3.2. Resultados. Se incluyeron 130 pacientes, 68 varones (52,3%) y 62 mujeres (47,7%), mayoritariamente del subtipo M2 (33%). La edad promedio fue de 7,7 (rango de 0 a 15 años). Se observaron aberraciones cromosómicas en el 60,8% y la más frecuente fue la traslocación t(8;21). Según el análisis de supervivencia global, se observaron dos grupos de riesgo citogenético: favorable y desfavorable. Conclusión. Se determinaron dos grupos de riesgo citogenético: alto (o desfavorable) y estándar (o favorable).

Abstract | Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by immature myeloid cell proliferation. Cytogenetic analysis has revealed the presence of chromosomal aberrations important to patient prognosis. Objective: To determine cytogenetic risk groups of pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia according to overall survival. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, the clinical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with de novo acute myeloid leukemia admitted to the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas between 2001 and 2011 with cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow were included. Cytogenetic risk groups were established according to the criteria of the Medical Research Council. Overall survival curves were generated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Mantel-Cox test and Cox regression with the software R, version 3.3.2. Results: A total of 130 patients were included, 68 males (52.3%) and 62 females (47.7%), most of them with subtype M2 (33%). The average age was 7.7 years (range: 0-15 years). Chromosomal aberrations were observed in 60.8% of the patients, the most frequent of which was the translocation t(8;21). According to the overall survival analysis, two cytogenetic risk groups were established: favorable and unfavorable. Conclusion: Two groups of cytogenetic risk were determined: high (or unfavorable) and standard (favorable).

Análisis citogenético en linfocitos de trabajadores expuestos a radiación ionizante en una unidad de cardiología intervencional de Chile: estudio piloto y revisión de la literatura / Citogenetic effects upon lymphocyes in subjects exposed to ionizing radiadion in an interventional laboratory cardiology: pilot study and literature review

ANTECEDENTES: Un número creciente de artículos está llamando la atención en forma consistente sobre la eventual asociación que existe entre los denominados trabajadores ocupacionalmente expuestos a bajos niveles de radiación ionizante (POEs) y una mayor frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas, a nivel Sudamericano estos estudios son escasos. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas en linfocitos de sangre periférica de POEs de un hospital y de sujetos sanos. Adicionalmente, se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de los artículos que a la fecha abordaron este tema. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se condujo un análisis citogenético destinado a cuantificar las aberraciones cromosómicas en sangre periférica de linfocitos de 6 POEs de la unidad de Cardiología Intervencional y, como controles, 6 muestras de sujetos de la población general fueron analizadas. RESULTADOS: Se observó un importante contraste en el número de aberraciones cromosómicas presentadas en los POEs versus la población general no expuesta a radiaciones ionizantes, siendo esta de una relación de 6:1, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados preliminares indican una mayor frecuencia de aberraciones cromosómicas en los POEs versus la población general, sin embargo, se deberá esperar los resultados de la segunda fase de investigación, donde al ampliar la muestra en análisis se podrán obtener conclusiones estadísticamente significativas.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence of an increased number of chromosomes aberrations in subjects exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation (POEs). There are few studies on this subject in Latin America AIM: To evaluate the frequency of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood in subjects working in laboratories where low levels of ionizing radiation are present and to compare these findings to those of unexposed subjects. METHODS: A cytogenic analysis to quantify chromosome aberrations was performed in 6 POs subjects from a cardiology invasive laboratory and 6 controls from a general unexposed population. RESULTS: Compared to controls, an approximately 6-fold increase in the number of chromosome aberrations was observed.in subjects exposed to ionizing radiation CONCLUSION: These preliminary results indicate that there is an increased number of chromosome aberrations in subjects exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation, as occurs in people working in a cardiology interventional laboratory. Studies in large numbers of subjects and preferably followed prospectively are needed to evaluate more precisely this effect.

Caso Clínico: Lipoblastoma en un Lactante / Clinical Case: Lipoblastoma in an Infant

Introducción: El lipoblastoma es una neoplasia benigna de presentación infrecuente originada en el tejido adiposo, de presentación casi exclusiva en pacientes pediátricos antes de los tres años de edad, con predominio en el sexo masculino. Se localiza principalmente en las extremidades y tronco, como una tumoración indolora de crecimiento progresivo. El tratamiento de elección es quirúrgico y tiene pronóstico favorable. Las recidivas se presentan en los casos en los que la resección no pudo ser completa. Caso clínico: Lactante mujer de 7 meses de edad. Desde los tres meses de edadpresentó aumento progresivo del volumen de la extremidad inferior izquierda.Al examen físico se evidenciógran tumoraciónde 12 x 7 centímetrosque compromete la cara posterior del muslo izquierdo: Masa indolora y bien delimitada. Sin compromiso de la movilidad, sin edema de miembro. Taller diagnóstico: La Resonancia Magnética reportó unatumoración sólida de muslo izquierdo hiper-intensa en T1 y T2, hipo-intensa en STIR con septos finos en su interior, se extiende desde el musculo abductor magno del bíceps femoral y mide 11.2 x 7.9 x 8.4 cm en sus ejes longitudinal, anteroposterior y transversal respectivamente, desplazando y comprimiendo a los músculos semitendinoso, semimembranoso y gracilis. La paciente fue sometida a escisión completa y amplia de la masa, mediante abordaje posterolateral. Desenlace:Patología reportóun tumor constituido por tejido adiposo con tejido mixoide,sin atipia nuclear; se evidencia infiltración parcial del musculo esquelético adyacente, sin afectación de piel, sin necrosisy bordes quirúrgicos negativos para neoplasia. Inmunohistoquímica con marcador de proliferación celular KI-67 resultado positivo de 1%, y estudio de MDM2 (inhibidor de la activación transcripcional de p53) negativo; hallazgos compatibles con lipoblastoma. El estudio citogenético no fue realizado. Evolución: La paciente fue dada de alta al cuarto día post-operatorio sin complicaciones. Con una recuperación completa, en el quinto mes de seguimiento se realizónuevo estudio de resonancia magnética en la cual no se visualizan imágenes que sugieran tumor residual ni recidiva tumoral. Conclusión: El lipoblastoma debe ser tomada en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial en niños con tumores de partes blandas, su tratamiento es eminentemente quirúrgico con un buen pronóstico si la extirpación es completa

Introduction: Lipoblastoma is an infrequent benign neoplasm originating in adipose tissue, presenting almost exclusively in pediatric patients before the age of three years, predominantly in males. It is located mainly on the limbs and trunk, as a painless, progressively growing tumor. The treatment of choice is surgical and has a favorable prognosis. Recurrences occur in cases in which the resection could not be complete. Clinical case: 7-month-old female infant. From the age of three months, he presented a progressive increase in the volume of the left lower limb. Physical examination revealed a large mass measuring 12 x 7 centimeters that involves the posterior aspect of the left thigh: a painless and well-defined mass. No compromise of mobility, no limb edema. Diagnostic workshop: Magnetic resonance imaging reported a hyper-intense solid tumor of the left thigh in T1 and T2, hypo-intense in STIR with fine septa inside it, extending from the abductor magnus muscle of the biceps femoris and measuring 11.2 x 7.9 x 8.4 cm in its longitudinal, anteroposterior and transverse axes respectively, displacing and compressing the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and gracilis muscles. The patient underwent a complete and wide excision of the mass using a posterolateral approach. Outcome: Pathology reported a tumor made up of adipose tissue with myxoid tissue, without nuclear atypia; partial infiltration of the adjacent skeletal muscle is evidenced, without skin involvement, without necrosis and negative surgical margins for neoplasia. Immunohistochemistry with a cell proliferation marker KI-67, a positive result of 1%, and a negative MDM2 study (inhibitor of transcriptional activation of p53); findings consistent with lipoblastoma. The cytogenetic study was not performed. Evolution:The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day without complications. With a complete recovery, in the fifth month of follow-up a new magnetic resonance study was performed in which no images that suggest residual tumor or tumor recurrence are visualized Conclusion: Lipoblastoma should be taken into account as a differential diagnosis in children with soft tissue tumors, its treatment is eminently surgicalwith a good prognosis if the removal is complete

The correlation between micronuclei count and smoking behavior: a hospital-based study / Correlación entre recuento de micronúcleos y hábito tabáquico: un estudio hospitalario

Background: Micronucleus is a microscopically visible cyto-plasmic chromatin mass in the extranuclear vicinity, originating from aberrant mitosis, which consists of eccentric chromosomes that have failed to reach spindle poles during mitosis. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare cytogenetic changes in the buccal mucosa of smokers and non-smokers based on the occurrence of micronuclei. The study aimed to determine the correlation between the micronuclei count and the frequency and duration of smoking habit. Materials and Methods: Two groups (smokers and non-smokers) of 34 individuals each were examined. Cytological buccal smears were taken from participants using a moistened wooden spatula and stained with standard Papanicolaou stain. Presence of micronuclei was assessed at 40X magnification using a light microscope and a count per 500 cells was determined. The results of the study were analyzed statistically using Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Student t-test. Result: Smears from smokers showed a significant increase in the total number of micronuclei per 500 cell count compared to non-smokers. There was a strong positive correlation between the occurrence of micronuclei and the frequency and duration of smoking. A age-related increase in older age groups was also observed. Conclusion: The study reveals a strong positive correlation between the occurrence of micronuclei and the frequency and duration of smoking. This observation is vital in the utilization of the micronuclei detection in smears as a prognostic, educational and interventional tool in the management of patients with smoking habits.

Antecedentes: El micronúcleo es una masa de cromatina citoplasmática microscópicamente visible en el área extranuclear, que se origina a partir de la mitosis aberrante, y que consiste en cromosomas excéntricos que no han podido alcanzar los polos del huso durante la mitosis. El presente estudio fue diseñado para evaluar y comparar los cambios citogenéticos en la mucosa bucal de fumadores y no fumadores en función de la aparición de micronúcleos. El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la correlación entre el recuento de micronúcleos y la frecuencia y duración del hábito de fumar. Materiales and Métodos: Se examinaron dos grupos (fumadores y no fumadores) de 34 individuos cada uno. Se tomaron frotis bucales citológicos de todos los participantes con una espátula de madera humedecida y se tiñeron con la tinción estándar de Papanicolaou. La presencia de micronúcleos se evaluó al microscopio óptico con un aumento de 40X y se determinó un recuento por 500 células. Los resultados del estudio se analizaron estadísticamente utilizando la prueba U de Mann-Whitney, el coeficiente de correlación de rango de Spearman y la prueba t de Student. Resultados: Los frotis de fumadores mostraron un aumento significativo en el número total de micronúcleos por 500 células en comparación con los no fumadores. Hubo una fuerte correlación positiva entre la aparición de micronúcleos y la frecuencia y duración del tabaquismo. También se observó un aumento relacionado con la edad en los grupos de mayor edad. Conclusión: el estudio revela una fuerte correlación positiva entre la aparición de micronúcleos y la frecuencia y duración del tabaquismo. Esta observación es vital en la utilización de la detección de micronúcleos en frotis como una herramienta pronostica, educativa e intervencionista en el manejo de pacientes con hábitos de fumar.

First-trimester chorionic villus sampling: genetic analysis of 985 cases / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective To investigate the value and safety of first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in prenatal diagnosis.Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 985 cases undergoing CVS and prenatal diagnosis with karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Peking University First Hospital from January 2012 to December 2017.The success rate of cell culture,indications for prenatal diagnosis,karyotyping results,and complications of CVS were described.Results Among the 985 cases,970 (98.48％) underwent FISH and 893 (90.66％) received karyotyping,and 878 (89.14％) accepted both.After CVS,the success rate of cell culture was 96.64％ (863/893).Abnormal ultrasonographic findings (42.64％,420/985) were the most common indications for prenatal diagnosis.In this study,181 cases of chromosomal abnormalities were detected,including numerical and structural abnormalities,accounting for 18.38％ of all 985 cases.Those cases with abnormal ultrasonographic images had the highest detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities (31.90％,134/420),followed by those with adverse pregnant history (11.83％,20/169) and advanced maternal age (8.21％,11/134).In addition,there was a discrepancy between karyotyping and FISH results,which might due to 16 cases of placental mosaicism and 13 cases of maternal cell contamination (MCC).Embryonic demises were reported in six cases (0.61％,6/985),including four with chromosomal numerical abnormalities within four weeks after CVS.No other short-or long-term postoperative complications were found in the rest 979 cases (99.39％).Conclusions CVS in the first trimester is a safe and reliable invasive method for prenatal diagnosis,which can help to obtain an earlier diagnosis in a certain population such as those with abnormal ultrasonographic findings,thus improve the pertinence and efficiency of prenatal diagnosis.However,the potential influences of placental mosaicism and MCC on the diagnostic results should not be ignored.