Microarreglos cromosómicos en 236 pacientes chilenos con trastornos del neurodesarrollo y anomalías congénitas / Microarrays in 236 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and congenital abnormalities

Background: In 20% of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and congenital abnormalities (CA) the cause would be a genomic imbalance detectable only by chromosomal microarrays (CMA). Aim: To analyze the results of CMA performed at the INTA Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics, during a period of four years in patients with NDD or CA. Material and Methods: Retrospective study that included all CMA reports of Chilean patients. Age, sex, clinical diagnosis and origin were analyzed, as well as the characteristics of the finding. The percentage of cases diagnosed by CMA was calculated considering all patients with pathogenic (PV) or probably pathogenic variants (VLP). Finally, we studied the association between patients' characteristics and a positive CMA outcome. Results: A total of 236 reports were analyzed. The median age was 5.41 (range 2.25-9.33) years, and 59% were men. Ninety chromosomal imbalances were found, which corresponded mainly to deletions (53.3%), with a median size of 1.662 (range 0.553-6.673) Megabases. The diagnostic rate of CMA in Chilean patients from all over the country was 19.2%. There was a close relationship between the patient's sex and the detection of VLP/VP (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Our diagnostic rate and the association between female sex and a higher percentage of diagnosed cases are concordant with other international studies. Therefore, CMA is a valid diagnostic tool in the Chilean population.

Experiencia en el diagnóstico, pesquisa en cascada y manejo multidisciplinario de pacientes con síndrome X frágil / Experience in diagnosis, cascade screening and multidisciplinary management of patients with fragile X syndrome

Resumen. El Síndrome X Frágil (SXF) constituye la causa más frecuente de retraso mental hereditario y autismo. Los individuos con mutación completa (MC) presentan alteraciones clínicas que incluyen: déficit cognitivo y atencional, hiperactividad, autismo y problemas emocionales. Los portadores de premutación (PM) pueden afectarse del síndrome de temblor y ataxia asociado a X frágil (FXTAS); el 30 por ciento de las mujeres con PM presentan insuficiencia ovárica prematura(FXPOI). Cuando un individuo presenta una MC es frecuente encontrar otros familiares afectados. El fenotipo al nacer no es evidente, se sugiere que debe hacerse el diagnóstico entre los35-37 meses, sin embargo, la edad de diagnóstico en Chile es en promedio de 8 +/- 5.8 años. El centro de diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de pacientes con síndrome X frágil (CDTSXF)es un centro multidisciplinario, que incluye diagnósticos moleculares, genetistas médicos, asesoramiento genético, neurólogos, terapeutas ocupacionales, fonoaudiólogo, evaluaciones nutricionales y psicológicas para las familias afectadas. Desde el año 2010 hemos asistido a 28familias y detectado un número significativo de afectados debido a la detección en cascada. Se ha diagnosticado a 63 probandos, 57 MC y ocho mosaicos de MC/PM. Entre las madres portadoras 37 son PM y dos presentaron una MC. En 9/28 familias había un adulto mayor con FXTAS, diez familias presentaron mujeres con FXPOI. 41/63 probandos han participado denle el protocolo multidisciplinario del CDTSXF. Los resultados de este enfoque multidisciplinario nos motiva a seguir trabajando en mejorar el comportamiento y desarrollo cognitivo de los pacientes y atender las principales necesidades de las familias afectadas.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of mental retardation and a leading known cause of autism. Individuals with a full mutation (FM) present disabilities including: cognitive and attention deficit, hyperactivity, autism, and other emotional problems. Carriers of a premutation (PM) may be affected by fragile X associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in 30 percent of PM women. Therefore, multigenerational family involvement is commonly found when a proband is diagnosed with a FXS mutation. FXS has no obvious phenotype at birth, it is suggested that the diagnosis should be made at 35-37 months; the age of diagnosis in Chile is on average 8+/-5.8 yo. The center for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with fragile X syndrome (CDTTRABAJOMFXS), is a multidisciplinary center that includes molecular testing, medical geneticists, genetic counseling, neurologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nutritional and psychological interventions to families with an FM proband. Since 2010, we have assisted 28 families with a total of 63 diagnosed probands using specific PCR and Southern blot tests. Among them, 57 had a FM and eight had a mosaic FM/PM. Among the mothers 37 are PM carriers and two presented a FM. An older adult with FXTAS was present in 9/28 families; ten families presented women with FXPOI. A significant number of affected family members have been detected through cascade screening. Among the probands 41 of 63 have received some of the multidisciplinary diagnostic and interventions. The results of this multidisciplinary work allow us to put forward more effort towards improving behavior and cognitive development of patients as well as trying to solve families’ main needs.

Caracterización citogenético-molecular de enfermedades genéticas en el Hospital Base de Puerto Montt / Cytogenetic and molecular profile of genetic diseases in Puerto Montt main hospital

Background: Chromosome aberrations (CA) are the main etiology of múltiple congenital malformations, recurrent abortions and intellectual disability (ID) specifically of modérate and severe degree. They accountfor 0.3 to 1 percent of newborns (NB) and 6 of 10,000 NB have chromosome imbalances with submicroscopic deletions or duplications smaller than 10 MB that are overlooked by conventional cytogenetic studies. Aim: To report the results of cytogenetic and molecular studies performed in patients with a congenital malformation disease or ID with or without dysmorphic features, attended in a regional hospital. Patients and Methods: One hundred and eighty patients, 27 with a clinical diagnosis ofDown syndrome, derivedfor the sus-picion of a genetic disease, were studied. A karyogram was performed in all ofthem and in 30 cases additional molecular studies, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) orpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) were carried out. Results: Amongthe 153 patients without Down syndrome, 20 (13 percent) had a genetic abnormality responsible for the altered phenotype. Sixteen had a chromosome aberration (structural and numerical aberrations in 75 and 25 percent respectively) andfour had genetic molecular alterations. Additional studies were performed to confirm or better characterize the chromosome aberration in 13 ofthe 30 patients in whom these were requested. Conclusions: Chromosome and specific genetic molecular studies in selected cases help to characterize patients with genetic diseases. The collaboration between academic and health care facilities is crucial.

Búsqueda de afecciones genéticas como etiología de déficit intelectual en individuos que asisten a escuelas de educación especial / Genetic screening to determine an etiologic diagnosis in children with mental retardation

Background: Mental retardation or intellectual disability affects 2 percent ofthe general population, but in 60 percent to 70 percent of cases the real cause ofthis retardation is not known. An early etiologic diagnosis of intellectual disability can lead to opportunities for improved educational interventions, reinforcing weak aáreas and providing a genetic counseling to the family Aim: To search genetic diseases underíying intellectual disabilities of children attending a special education school. Material and methods: A clinical geneticist performed the history and physical examination in one hundred and three students aged between 5 and 24 years (51 males). A blood sample was obtained in 92 of them for a genetic screening that included a standard karyotype, fragile X molecular genetic testing and search for inborn errors of metabolism by tándem mass spectrometry. Results: This approach yielded an etiological diagnosis in as much as 29 patients. Three percent of them had a fragile X syndrome. Inborn errors of metabolism were not detected. Conclusions: This type of screening should be done always in children with intellectual disability to establish an etiological diagnosis.

Barber-Say syndrome: further delineation of the clinical spectrum

Apresentamos uma paciente de 14 anos, de sexo feminino, portadora de um quadro de múltiplas anomalias congênitas: hipertelorismo, telecanto, macrostomia, agenesia da hélice em ambos os pavilhöes auriculares, pele grossa e redundante e hirsutismo severo, que corresponde ao 5º caso reportado de síndrome de Barber-Say. Esta paciente tem praticamente o mesmo fenótipo que a paciente descrita por Martínez Santana et al. (Am. J. Med. Genet. 47:20-23, 1992), incluindo o mesmo padräo dermatoglífico que näo havia sido descrito até entäo.