ABSTRACT
Aims: Fragile-X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability; it is caused by an abnormal CGG-repeat expansion at the FMR1 gene. However, a few cases of girls with mutations in the FMR1 gene have been reported in the literature. In this study, we describe the clinical and genetic assessment of a family who exhibits the unusual coexistence of FXS, an 8p23.1 deletion, and balanced translocation t(7;10)(p10;q24) in multiple members, including a symptomatic girl with FXS. Materials and Methods: All of the family members underwent comprehensive clinical and neurological examinations. All members of the family were also molecularly diagnosed using a combination of fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Triplet Repeat Primed-PCR, capillary electrophoresis, and karyotyping. Results: We identified a male proband and a female patient that presented with the craniofacial characteristics of FXS, neuropsychomotor developmental delay, speech delay, intellectual deficit, and a positive molecular diagnosis of FXS. Interestingly, the female patient presented with a severe phenotype also associated with the presence of 8p23.1 deletion, while the proband patient presented a balanced translocation t(7;10)(p10;q24). Moreover, we detected multiple carriers of the FXS premutation in the family. Conclusions: To our knowledge, we describe for the first time the simultaneous occurrence of FXS and an 8p23.1 deletion and their possible synergistic effects on the phenotype of a female patient. Moreover, we describe the coexistence of FXS, an 8p23.1 deletion, and a balanced translocation t(7;10)(p10;q24) in the same family.
