Congenital hand difference associated with 12q13.13 microdeletion.

We report the case of a 15-year-old boy with a de novo chromosomal deletion in the 12q13.13 region, presenting with congenital hand difference. This case emphasizes the clinical significance of recognizing such genetic anomalies and their implications.

Performance Evaluation of Noninvasive Prenatal Testing in Screening Chromosome Disorders: A Single-Center Observational Study of 15,304 Consecutive Cases in China.

Objective: This study was to evaluate the performance of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in detecting fetal chromosome disorders in pregnant women. Methods: From October 1st, 2017, to December 31th, 2022, a total of 15,304 plasma cell free DNA-NIPT samples were collected for fetal chromosome disorders screening. The results of NIPT were validated by confirmatory invasive testing or clinical outcome follow-up. Further, NIPT performance between low-risk and high-risk groups, as well as singleton pregnancy and twin pregnancy groups was compared. Besides, analysis of 111 false-positive cases was performed. Results: Totally, NIPT was performed on 15,086 eligible venous blood samples, of which 179 (1.19%) showed positive NIPT results and 68 were further validated to be true positive samples via confirmatory invasive testing or follow-up of clinical outcomes. For common chromosome aneuploidies, sex chromosome abnormalities (SCA) and other chromosomal aneuploidies, the detection sensitivities of NIPT were all 100%, the specificities were 99.87%, 99.70%, and 99.68% and the positive predictive values (PPVs) were 65.45%, 31.82%, and 10.91%, respectively. No statistically significant variance in detection performance was observed among 2987 high-risk and 12,099 low-risk subjects, as well as singleton and twin pregnancy subjects. The concentration of cell-free fetal DNA of 111 false-positive cases ranged from 5.5% to 33.7%, which was higher than the minimum requirement of NIPT. Conclusion: With stringent protocol, NIPT shows high sensitivity and specificity for detecting fetal chromosome disorders in a large-scale clinical service, helping improving overall pregnancy management.

Western Australian women's expectations for expanded NIPT-An online survey regarding NIPT for single gene, recessive and chromosomal conditions.

Prenatal screening has evolved rapidly following the introduction of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), with screening now available for an increasing number of conditions. We explored the attitudes and expectations of women within the context of using NIPT to detect multiple different single gene and chromosome conditions during pregnancy. An online survey was used to assess these issues with a sample of 219 women from Western Australia. In our study, the majority of women (96%) support of the concept of expanded NIPT for single gene and chromosome conditions provided the test involves no risk to the pregnancy and can provide the parents with relevant medical information about the fetus at any stage of pregnancy. 80% believed that expanded NIPT for single gene and chromosome conditions should be available at any stage during pregnancy and 68% of women indicated that test cost would be a factor in determining their participation in testing. Under half (43%) of the women favored an option to terminate a pregnancy at any stage if the fetus had a medical condition that would interfere with day to day functioning. The majority (78%) of women believed that testing for multiple genetic conditions would provide reassurance and lead to the delivery of a healthy child.

Apparent Homozygosity for a gr/gr AZFc Deletion in A 47,XYY Man with Oligozoospermia and Secondary Infertility.

Background: Approximately 1 in 1000 men have a 47,XYY karyotype. Previous publications have presented cases of infertile XYY men and have suggested that the additional Y chromosome may cause disrupted meiosis leading to sperm apoptosis. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether XYY men are over-represented in infertility cohorts. Methods: In this paper, an ongoing infertility cohort was evaluated for Y chromosome microdeletions using the MLPA technique and the data from the first 2000 referrals were recorded. Moreover, the MLPA technique detected 47,XYY karyotypes. Results: Four XYY individuals were identified within the cohort. One of the four XYY men was shown to have an apparent gr/gr partial AZFc deletion on both Y chromosomes while Sertoli cell only syndrome was detected in another case. The other two cases (out of 2000) might, therefore, represent an incidental finding. Conclusion: The gr/gr deletion is not detectable by the multiplex PCR method; therefore, there might be additional explanations for the fertility problems of infertile XYY men reported in previously published articles. It seems that among other cases, their XYY karyotype may be coincidental, rather than causative of their fertility issues.

Moyamoya associated with Turner syndrome in a patient with type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia-Occam's razor or Hickam's dictum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Turner syndrome (TS) is a rare condition associated with a completely or partially missing X chromosome that affects 1 in 2500 girls. TS increases the risk of autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease (GD). Moyamoya disease is a rare cerebral arteriopathy of unknown etiology characterized by progressive bilateral stenosis of the internal carotid artery and its branches. Both TS and GD have been associated with Moyamoya. Type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia caused by a CAG repeat expansion in ATXN2. We present the first case of Moyamoya syndrome in a patient with a previous diagnosis of TS and GD who tested positive for SCA2 and had imaging findings compatible with an overlap of SCA2 and Moyamoya. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old woman presented with mild gait imbalance for 2 years. Her family history was positive for type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA2). She had been diagnosed with Turner Syndrome (45,X) and Graves disease three years before. Brain MRI revealed bilateral frontal and parietal cystic encephalomalacia in watershed zones, atrophy of pons, middle cerebellar peduncles and cerebellum. MR angiography showed progressive stenosis of both internal carotid arteries with lenticulostriate collaterals, suggestive of Moya-Moya disease. Molecular analysis confirmed the diagnosis of SCA2. CONCLUSIONS: With increased availability of tools for genetic diagnosis, physicians need to be aware of the possibility of a single patient presenting two or more rare diseases. This report underscores the modern dilemmas created by increasingly accurate imaging techniques and available and extensive genetic testing.

Simultaneous 9p Deletion and 8p Duplication in a Seven-Year-Old Girl, Detected Using Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification: A Case Report.

Deletion 9p syndrome is a rare chromosomal abnormality with a wide spectrum of manifestations such as craniofacial dysmorphism, congenital anomalies, and psychomotor delay. We report a case of a seven-year-old girl with simultaneous 9p24.3 deletion and 8p23.3 duplication detected using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Chromosomal and cytogenetic analyses using MLPA are effective in assessing genetic abnormalities in patients with developmental delay and mental retardation. We found breakpoints at 9p24.3 and duplication in the 8p23.3 region, leading to a wide variety of manifestations including speech delay, upslanting palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, epicanthal fold, high arched eyebrows, flat nasal bridge, thin upper lip, and cleft palate. Simultaneous detection of 9p24.3 deletion and 8p23.3 duplication has been rarely reported. Clinical phenotypes of our patient resembled the features of Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, which might have been primarily caused by the haploinsufficiency of SMARCA2 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 2) gene located at 9p24.3.

Genetic etiology of adult intellectual disability (ID) of unknown cause in Qatar: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Intellectual disability (ID) is a common condition that consists of a heterogeneous group of clinical conditions with different etiologies, including genetic conditions. Identifying those with a genetic cause results in better clinical management. AIM: To identify the genetic etiology of ID in adult patients with unknown etiology presenting to a specialist learning disability service in Qatar. METHODS: Retrospective review of chart notes of patients referred for ID service from January 1, 2015 to January 1, 2020. RESULTS: Of the 228 patients, 82 had a known cause of ID and did not require genetic testing, 22 had an unknown cause and underwent genetic testing, and 124 had an unknown cause and did not undergo genetic testing. Of the 82 patients with a known cause of ID, about one-half had an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and 18 patients had a genetic disorder. Of the 22 patients who underwent genetic testing, 2 were positive for the Fragile-X mental retardation 1 gene, 3 underwent chromosomal microarray, and 7 underwent whole-exome sequencing. Seven abnormal genes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the underlying genetic etiology of patients with ID has major implications for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Additionally, it guides a prediction of the natural history of the disease and makes it possible to test at-risk family members.

Multi-tissue cytogenetic analysis for the diagnosis of mosaic Down syndrome: A case report.

Less than one percent of individuals with Down syndrome exhibit mosaicism, a biological phenomenon that describes an individual who has two or more genetically distinct cell lines. The percentage of mosaicism in different tissues can impact the presence of clinical findings and hinder cytogenetic diagnosis. We report a case of mosaicism for trisomy 21 diagnosed after multi-tissue cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood and buccal mucosa, associated with significant intellectual disability, dysmorphic facial features, congenital heart defects, macropenis, and imperforate anus.

The use of oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation in patients with sex chromosome disorders: a case series describing outcomes.

PURPOSE: Characterize outcomes among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sex chromosome disorders (SCDs) after oocyte cryopreservation (OC) consultation. METHODS: Retrospective case series of all AYA (< 25 years) patients with SCDs seen for OC consultation from 2011 to 2019 at a large, urban, academic fertility center. All AYA patients with an SCD seen for OC consult in the study time period were reviewed and included. Data collected included patient age, SCD type, number of patients who attempted OC, number of cycles attempted, and cycle outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included: 9 with Turner syndrome, 12 with mosaic Turner syndrome, and 1 with 47,XXX. Mean age at consult was 14.7 ± 3.5 years. Fourteen patients elected for OC: 5 with Turner syndrome, 8 with mosaic Turner syndrome, and 1 47,XXX who pursued 31 OC cycles total. Of those 14 patients, 10 underwent retrieval, 9 froze oocytes, and 8 froze mature (MII) oocytes. Seven patients underwent > 1 cycle and 7 had ≥ 1 cancelation. 3/3 patients who pursued cycles after 1st cancelation never got to retrieval. Age, SCD type, and baseline FSH did not predict ability to freeze MIIs. One patient returned after OC and attempted 4 ovulation induction cycles and 2 IVF cycles; all were canceled for low response. CONCLUSIONS: AYA patients with SCDs have a high risk of poor response and cycle cancelation but the majority froze MIIs. Thus, setting expectations is important. A larger sample size is needed to evaluate possible clinical predictors of success.

Sex-Related Effects on Cardiac Development and Disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, male and female patients with CVD exhibit distinct epidemiological and pathophysiological characteristics, implying a potentially important role for primary and secondary sex determination factors in heart development, aging, disease and therapeutic responses. Here, we provide a concise review of the field and discuss current gaps in knowledge as a step towards elucidating the "sex determination-heart axis". We specifically focus on cardiovascular manifestations of abnormal sex determination in humans, such as in Turner and Klinefelter syndromes, as well as on the differences in cardiac regenerative potential between species with plastic and non-plastic sexual phenotypes. Sex-biased cardiac repair mechanisms are also discussed with a focus on the role of the steroid hormone 17ß-estradiol. Understanding the "sex determination-heart axis" may offer new therapeutic possibilities for enhanced cardiac regeneration and/or repair post-injury.

Clinical assessment of blood pressure in 60 girls with Turner syndrome compared to 1888 healthy Danish girls.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension contributes to increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with Turner syndrome (TS). Our objective was to evaluate blood pressure (BP) in girls with TS followed longitudinally through childhood and adolescence compared to a newly established BP reference material. DESIGN: Cohort study with data collected from 1991 to 2019 consisting of a population-based reference cohort and a group of girls with TS followed at a single tertiary centre. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Reference population of 1888 healthy girls with 4890 BP recordings and 60 girls with TS with 365 BP recordings. MEASUREMENTS: Difference in diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP), expressed in standard deviation scores (SDS), between girls with TS and the reference population, unadjusted and adjusted for BMI. Difference in BP (SDS) between TS subgroups (karyotype, oestrogen treatment, cardiac diagnosis). RESULTS: The girls with TS had significantly higher DBP (mean ± SD, 0.72 SDS ± 0.95; p < .001) and SBP (0.53 SDS ± 1.11; p = .001) than the reference population. Adjusted for BMI, girls with TS had significantly higher DBP (mean ± SE, 0.71 SDS ± 0.12; p < .001) but not SBP (0.17 SDS ± 0.16; p = .29). There was no significant difference in DBP (median, IQR: 0.97 SDS, 0.30-1.58 vs. 0.76 SDS, 0.10-1.20; p = .31) or SBP (0.51 SDS, 0.15-1.30 vs. 0.57 SDS, -0.30 to 1.05; p = .67) between individuals with or without a cardiac diagnosis. In the TS population, 55% (31/56) had at least one BP recording above the hypertension threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that standardised longitudinal routine monitoring of BP in girls with TS already in childhood is of utmost importance.

Perinatal outcome after selective termination in dichorionic twins discordant for congenital anomalies.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to evaluate the perinatal outcome of selective termination of dichorionic twin pregnancies with discordant anomalies, according to gestational age at time of procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 147 dichorionic twin pregnancies referred to our Fetal Medicine Unit between 2003 and 2018 for selective termination. Gestational age at delivery, fetal loss, and overall and 28-day post-delivery survival rates, were evaluated according to gestational age at time of procedure. Selective termination procedure was defined as early, intermediate, and late when performed before 18 weeks, between 18 and 23 weeks, and after 23 weeks, respectively. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-squared test were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Overall survival at 28 days post-delivery, pregnancy loss, and preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation rates were 93.4%, 6.9%, and 15.5%, respectively. When stratified by gestational age at procedure, intermediate selective termination was associated with a lower survival rate than early and late procedures (86% vs. 96.9% and 100%, respectively; p = 0.035), and a nonsignificant trend for higher pregnancy loss (12% vs. 3.1%). Preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation occurred in 27% of late procedures, which was significantly higher than in early (9.5%) and intermediate (18.2%) procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Selective termination in dichorionic twin pregnancies with discordant fetal anomaly is associated with low pregnancy loss and preterm delivery rate, primarily when performed before 18 weeks. When legally possible, late procedures can be a good alternative, particularly in those cases diagnosed beyond the 18th week of gestation.

Non-invasive prenatal testing for the prenatal screening of sex chromosome aneuploidies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence on the performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for the detection of fetal sex chromosomal imbalances. In this review, we aimed to appraise and synthesize the literature on the performance of NIPT for the prenatal detection of fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies. METHODS: We performed our literature search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CADTH. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. There were no restrictions on the study population. Meta-analyses were performed with "R" software. Pooled sensitivities and specificities with their 95% CI were estimated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by a Q test. RESULTS: Based on 11 studies in high prior risk pregnancies, including 116 affected fetuses in aggregate, Massively Parallel Shotgun Sequencing (MPSS) had a sensitivity of 93.9% (95% CI 84.1%, 97.8%) and a specificity of 99.6% (95% CI 98.7%, 99.9%) for the detection of 45,X. Based on four studies in high-risk pregnancies, with 83 affected fetuses in aggregate, Targeted Massively Parallel Sequencing (TMPS) had a sensitivity of 83.2% (95% CI 49.6%, 96.2%) and specificity was 99.8% (95% CI 98.3%, 100%) for the detection of 45,X. In mixed-risk pregnancies, the sensitivity of TMPS for the detection of 45,X was 90.9% (2 studies; 95% CI 70%, 97.7%) and specificity 99.9% (2 studies; 95% CI 99.4%, 100%); MPSS data were not available in such pregnancies. Based on smaller numbers of studies, and small numbers of affected fetuses in either high-risk or mixed-risk pregnancies (using either MPSS or TMPS), the sensitivities and specificities were equal to or greater than 76.2% for 47,XXX, 47,XXY and 47, XYY. The test failures for SCAs were 0.2% (95% CI 0%, 13.6%) for MPSS and 5.6% (95% CI 3.7%, 8.4%) for TMPS. CONCLUSION: High-quality studies are still desirable in order to estimate the performance of NIPT for the detection of sex chromosome imbalances.

A Rapid PCR-Free Next-Generation Sequencing Method for the Detection of Copy Number Variations in Prenatal Samples.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is emerging as a new method for the detection of clinically significant copy number variants (CNVs). In this study, we developed and validated rapid CNV-sequencing (rCNV-seq) for clinical application in prenatal diagnosis. Low-pass whole-genome sequencing was performed on PCR libraries prepared from amniocyte genomic DNA. From 10-40 ng of input DNA, PCR-free libraries consistently produced sequencing data with high unique read mapping ratios, low read redundancy, low coefficient of variation for all chromosomes and high genomic coverage. In validation studies, reliable and accurate CNV detection using PCR-free-based rCNV-seq was demonstrated for a range of common trisomies and sex chromosome aneuploidies as well as microdeletion and duplication syndromes. In reproducibility studies, CNV copy number and genomic intervals closely matched those defined by chromosome microarray analysis. Clinical testing of genomic DNA samples from 217 women referred for prenatal diagnosis identified eight samples (3.7%) with known chromosome disorders. We conclude that PCR-free-based rCNV-seq is a sensitive, specific, reproducible and efficient method that can be used in any NGS-based diagnostic laboratory for detection of clinically significant CNVs.

A minimum estimate of the prevalence of 22q11 deletion syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities in a combined prenatal and postnatal cohort.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the frequency of major chromosome abnormalities in a population-based diagnostic data set of genomic tests performed on miscarriage, fetal and infant samples in a state with >73 000 annual births? SUMMARY ANSWER: The overall frequency of major chromosome abnormalities in the entire cohort was 28.2% (2493/8826), with a significant decrease in the detection of major chromosome abnormalities with later developmental stage, from 50.9% to 21.3% to 15.6% of tests in the miscarriage, prenatal and postnatal cohorts, respectively. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Over the past decade, technological advances have revolutionized genomic testing at every stage of reproduction. Chromosomal microarrays (CMAs) are now the gold standard of chromosome assessment in prenatal diagnosis and pediatrics. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A population-based cohort study including all chromosome analysis was performed in the Australian state of Victoria during a 24-month period from January 2015 to December 2016. All samples obtained via invasive prenatal diagnosis and postnatal samples from pregnancy tissue and infants ≤12 months of age were included. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: A research collaboration of screening and diagnostic units in the Australian state of Victoria was formed (the Perinatal Record Linkage collaboration), capturing all instances of prenatal and postnatal chromosome testing performed in the state. Victoria has over 73 000 births per annum and a median maternal age of 31.5 years. We analyzed our population-based diagnostic data set for (i) chromosome assessment of miscarriage, prenatal diagnosis and postnatal samples; (ii) testing indications and diagnostic yields for each of these cohorts; (iii) and the combined prenatal/infant prevalence of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS) as a proportion of all births ≥20 weeks gestation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: During the 24-month study period, a total of 8826 chromosomal analyses were performed on prenatal and postnatal specimens in Victoria. The vast majority (91.2%) of all chromosome analyses were performed with CMA.The overall frequency of major chromosome abnormalities in the entire cohort was 28.2% (2493/8826). There was a significant decreasing trend in the percentage of chromosome abnormalities with later developmental stage from 50.9% to 21.3% to 15.6% in the miscarriage, prenatal and postnatal cohorts, respectively (χ2 trend = 790.0, P < 0.0001). The total frequency of abnormalities in the live infant subgroup was 13.4% (244/1816). The frequencies of pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) detected via CMA for the miscarriage, prenatal and postnatal cohorts were 1.9% (50/2573), 2.2% (82/3661) and 4.9% (127/2592), respectively. There was a significant increasing trend in the frequency of pathogenic CNVs with later developmental stage (χ2 trend = 39.72, P < 0.0001). For the subgroup of live infants, the pathogenic CNV frequency on CMA analysis was 6.0% (109/1816). There were 38 diagnoses of 22q11.2 DS, including 1 miscarriage, 15 prenatal and 22 postnatal cases. After excluding the miscarriage case and accounting for duplicate testing, the estimated prevalence of 22q11 DS was 1 in 4558 Victorian births. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Clinical information was missing on 11.6% of postnatal samples, and gestational age was rarely provided on the miscarriage specimens. We were unable to obtain rates of termination of pregnancy and stillbirth in our cohort due to incomplete data provided by clinical referrers. We therefore cannot make conclusions on pregnancy or infant outcome following diagnostic testing. Childhood and adult diagnoses of 22q11 DS were not collected. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our study marks a complete transition in genomic testing from the G-banded karyotype era, with CMA now established as the first line investigation for pregnancy losses, fetal diagnosis and newborn/infant assessment in a high-income setting. Integration of prenatal and postnatal diagnostic data sets provides important opportunities for estimating the prevalence of clinically important congenital syndromes, such as 22q11 DS. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): L.H. is funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career Fellowship (1105603); A.L. was funded by a Mercy Perinatal Research Fellowship; J.H. was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship (10121252). The funding bodies had no role in the conduct of the research or the manuscript. Discretionary funding from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute has supported the prenatal diagnosis data collection and reporting over the years.Dr Ricardo Palma-Dias reports a commercial relationship with Roche Diagnostics, personal fees from Philips Ultrasound, outside the submitted work. Debbie Nisbet reports a commercial relationship with Roche Diagnostics, outside the submitted work. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NA.

Noninvasive Prenatal Testing for Trisomies 21, 18, and 13, Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies, and Microdeletions in Average-Risk Pregnancies: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The cost effectiveness of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been established for high-risk pregnancies but remains unclear for pregnancies at other risk levels. The aim was to assess the cost effectiveness of NIPT in average-risk pregnancies from the perspective of a provincial public payer in Canada. METHODS: A model was developed to compare traditional prenatal screening (TPS), NIPT as a second-tier test (performed only after a positive TPS result), and NIPT as a first-tier test (performed instead of TPS) for trisomies 21, 18, and 13; sex chromosome aneuploidies; and microdeletions in a hypothetical annual population cohort of average-risk pregnancies (142 000 to 148,000) in Ontario, Canada. A probabilistic analysis was conducted with 5000 repetitions. RESULTS: Compared with TPS, NIPT as a second-tier test detected more affected fetuses with trisomies 21, 18, and 13 (188 vs. 158), substantially reduced the number of diagnostic tests (i.e., chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis) performed (660 vs. 3107), and reduced the cost of prenatal screening ($26.7 million vs. $27.6 million) annually. Compared with second-tier NIPT, first-tier NIPT detected an additional 80 cases of trisomies 21, 18, and 13 at an additional cost of $33 million. The incremental cost per additional affected fetus detected was $412 411. Extending first-tier NIPT to include testing for sex chromosome aneuploidies and 22q11.2 deletion would increase the total screening cost. CONCLUSIONS: NIPT as a second-tier test is cost-saving compared with TPS alone. Compared with second-tier NIPT, first-tier NIPT detects more cases of chromosomal anomalies but at a substantially higher cost.

Chromosomal Deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 Involving Ca2+-Dependent Activator Protein for Secretion Gene in a Patient with Cerebellar Ataxia: a Case Report.

We present a 33-year-old male patient with cerebellar ataxia. He was first considered to have a psychiatric conversion disorder but finally found to have chromosomal deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 involving Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion (CADPS) gene. When a targeted gene sequencing using next-generation sequencing panel and chromosomal microarray analysis were performed, an 8.6 Mb deletion within chromosome 7q31.2-31.32 was discovered. Deletion of CADPS gene in the 7q31.2-31.32 was suggested as the causative factor of cerebellar ataxia. Functional levels evaluated by Berg balance scale and modified Barthel index were improved via comprehensive rehabilitation including balance training and a dopamine agonist medication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chromosomal deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 including CADPS gene detected in patients with cerebellar ataxia.

Chromosomal Deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 Involving Ca2⁺-Dependent Activator Protein for Secretion Gene in a Patient with Cerebellar Ataxia: a Case Report

We present a 33-year-old male patient with cerebellar ataxia. He was first considered to have a psychiatric conversion disorder but finally found to have chromosomal deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 involving Ca2⁺-dependent activator protein for secretion (CADPS) gene. When a targeted gene sequencing using next-generation sequencing panel and chromosomal microarray analysis were performed, an 8.6 Mb deletion within chromosome 7q31.2-31.32 was discovered. Deletion of CADPS gene in the 7q31.2-31.32 was suggested as the causative factor of cerebellar ataxia. Functional levels evaluated by Berg balance scale and modified Barthel index were improved via comprehensive rehabilitation including balance training and a dopamine agonist medication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chromosomal deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 including CADPS gene detected in patients with cerebellar ataxia.

Síndrome de Down por mosaico, reporte de caso Ecuador / Mosaic Down syndrome, case report Ecuador

El síndrome de Down, es una de las principales causas de discapacitada intelectual relacionada a alteraciones en los cromosomas humanos, el síndrome de Down por mosaísmo es uno de los tres tipos de alteración cromosómica que se presentan en estos pacientes, encontrándose en 1% al 4% de los casos reportados de este síndrome, en los cuales las características físicas son casi imperceptibles a una simple valoración. Presentamos el caso clínico de paciente masculino de 9 meses de edad que acudió a valoración médica por retraso leve madurativo e infecciones respiratorias a repetición.

Down syndrome is one of the main causes of intellectual disability related to alterations in human chromosomes. Mosaic Down syndrome is one of the three types of chromosomal alteration that occurs in these patients, being 1% at 4% of the reported cases of this syndrome, in any of the physical characteristics are almost imperceptible to a simple assessment. We present the clinical case of a 9-month-old male patient who attended a medical evaluation for mild maturational delay and repeated respiratory infections.

[Live Vaccine in Children with DiGeorge/22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome]. / Vacinas Vivas em Crianças com Síndrome de DiGeorge/ Deleção 22q11.2.

INTRODUCTION: Children with DiGeorge syndrome/chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome might have a variable degree of immunodeficiency, which may limit the use of live vaccines. The aim of this study was to review the adverse effects of live vaccines and possible relation with immune status in patients with DiGeorge Syndrome/partial 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study with analysis of the clinical records of children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and DiGeorge syndrome phenotype, followed in a Primary Immunodeficiency center. Data were collected on: demographic characteristics; medical and vaccination history with live vaccines; T-CD4+ lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte proliferative responses to antigens and mitogens; adverse reactions; vaccine failure. RESULTS: Twenty three children with DiGeorge syndrome/22q11.2 deletion syndrome were included, 65.2% male, with average age at diagnosis of 11.3 months. Eighteen children (78%) received bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine: all with evidence of thymic activity; three presented moderate T-CD4+ lymphopenia and abnormal lymphocyte proliferative responses; one had abnormal lymphocyte proliferative responses for mitogens, four for purified protein derivative and one for tetanus toxoid. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was administered to 15 children, three of them with moderate immunosuppression and abnormal lymphocyte proliferative responses. Live attenuated polio vaccine was administered to 4 children without immunosuppression and the rotavirus vaccine to three children, one with moderate immunosuppression. No significant adverse reactions were reported. DISCUSSION: These data are in line with the findings of other international studies. CONCLUSION: In our sample, live vaccines were well-tolerated, even in children with moderate T-CD4+ lymphopenia and abnormal lymphocyte proliferative responses to antigens/mitogens.

Introdução: A síndrome de DiGeorge/deleção 22q11.2 pode apresentar um grau variável de imunodeficiência, condicionando a utilização de vacinas vivas. Este estudo teve como objetivo documentar os efeitos adversos de vacinas vivas e possível relação com alterações imunitárias em crianças com síndrome de DiGeorge/deleção 22q11.2 parcial. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospetivo por revisão dos processos clínicos das crianças com deleção do cromossoma 22q11.2 e fenótipo de síndrome de DiGeorge, seguidos num centro de referência de imunodeficiências primárias. Foi realizada colheita de dados, incluindo: características demográficas; história médica; historial de vacinação com vacinas vivas; contagem de linfócitos T-CD4+ e respostas proliferativas linfocitárias a antigénios e mitogénios; reações adversas; falências vacinais. Resultados: Foram incluídas 23 crianças com síndrome de DiGeorge/deleção 22q11.2, 65,2% do sexo masculino e idade média de diagnóstico de 11,3 meses. Destas, 18 crianças (78%) receberam a vacina bacillus Calmette-Guérin: todas com evidência de atividade tímica; três apresentaram linfopénia T-CD4+ moderada e respostas proliferativas linfocitárias anormais; uma com respostas proliferativas linfocitárias anormais para mitogénios, quatro para derivado de proteína purificada e uma para toxóide tetânico. A vacina tríplice contra o sarampo, parotidite e rubéola foi administrada a 15 crianças, três com imunossupressão moderada e respostas proliferativas linfocitárias anormais. A vacina viva atenuada contra poliomielite foi administrada a quatro crianças sem imunossupressão e a vacina contra o rotavírus a três crianças, uma com imunossupressão moderada. Não foram reportadas reações adversas. Discussão: Estes dados estão de acordo com as conclusões de outros estudos internacionais. Conclusão: Na nossa amostra, as vacinas vivas atenuadas foram bem toleradas, incluindo em crianças com linfopénia T-CD4+ moderada e com respostas proliferativas linfocitárias a antigénios/mitogénios anormais.