Phenotypic characterization of patients with deletions in the 3'-flanking SHOX region.

Context. Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis is a clinically variable skeletal dysplasia, caused by SHOX deletion or mutations, or a deletion of enhancer sequences in the 3'-flanking region. Recently, a 47.5 kb recurrent PAR1 deletion downstream of SHOX was reported, but its frequency and clinical importance are still unknown. Objective. This study aims to compare the clinical features of different sizes of deletions in the 3'-flanking SHOX region in order to determine the relevance of the regulatory sequences in this region. Design. We collected DNA from 28 families with deletions in the 3'-PAR1 region. Clinical data were available from 23 index patients and 21 relatives. Results. In 9 families (20 individuals) a large deletion ( âˆ¼ 200-900 kb) was found and in 19 families (35 individuals) a small deletion was demonstrated, equal to the recently described 47.5 kb PAR1 deletion. Median height SDS, sitting height/height ratio SDS and the presence of Madelung deformity in patients with the 47.5 kb deletion were not significantly different from patients with larger deletions. The index patients had a median height SDS which was slightly lower than in their affected family members (p = 0.08). No significant differences were observed between male and female patients. Conclusions. The phenotype of patients with deletions in the 3'-PAR1 region is remarkably variable. Height, sitting height/height ratio and the presence of Madelung deformity were not significantly different between patients with the 47.5 kb recurrent PAR1 deletion and those with larger deletions, suggesting that this enhancer plays an important role in SHOX expression.

IGF1, IGF1R and SHOX mutation analysis in short children born small for gestational age and short children with normal birth size (idiopathic short stature).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Because the criteria for genetic screening of short children are unknown, we performed genetic analysis of 199 short children born small for gestational age (SGA) or with normal birth size (idiopathic short stature, ISS). METHODS: After selection with a modified scoring system for SHOX and a novel score for IGF1 and IGF1R defects, direct sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was performed for SHOX and IGF1R in selected patients, and confirmed by SNP array analysis. RESULTS: In 6 children, gene variants were identified in SHOX, its adjacent pseudoautosomal region (PAR) and IGF1R: a SHOX mutation, terminal 15q deletion, a SHOX and IGF1R defect, a deletion of the Xp22.3 PAR region, and two patients with duplications in the Xp22.3 PAR region. In a seventh patient, steroid sulfatase deficiency was detected because a probe for STS was used as control; this syndrome has not been associated with short stature before. CONCLUSION: A selection process using clinical scores for SHOX, IGF1 and IGF1R defects followed by genetic testing with MLPA and direct sequencing led to the detection of a SHOX or IGF1R genetic variant in 6% of short children.