Estimation of carrier frequencies of autosomal and X-linked recessive genetic conditions based on gnomAD v4.0 data in different ancestries

Abstract

Purpose

Monogenic rare diseases contribute significantly to infant deaths and pediatric hospitalizations and cause burden to the patients and their families. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommended in 2021 that carrier screening of autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions with a carrier frequency of ≥1/200 and a severe or moderate phenotype should be offered when planning or during pregnancy. In November 2023 gnomAD v4.0 was released. It contains in total 807,162 individuals, being nearly 5× larger than previous versions, which have been used to estimate gene carrier frequencies (GCF).

Methods

We utilized gnomAD v4.0 (GRCh38) to calculate the GCFs for available genetic ancestry groups for variants having pathogenic or likely pathogenic classification (>80% of submissions) in ClinVar. We calculated GCF separately for exomes and genomes, combined data, and at-risk couple frequencies (ACF) per genetic ancestry group.

Results

In total, 324 genes had a GCF ≥1/200 in at least 1 ancestry subgroup. The number of genes with GCF ≥1/200 varied greatly between subgroups. ACFs were more similar, Ashkenazi Jewish having the highest ACF of 6.11%.

Conclusion

Improved understanding of carrier risks and updated carrier screening content would allow patients to make more informed reproductive decisions.