Journal of pediatric genetics最新文献

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a potent genetic modifier of β-thalassemia phenotype. B-cell lymphoma 11A ( BCL11A ) gene results in significant silencing of HbF. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of different BCL11A genotypes among a cohort of Egyptian children with β-thalassemia and to correlate them to HbF and clinical severity score. Eighty-two children with β-thalassemia (aged 12.95 ± 3.63 years) were recruited from the Pediatric Hematology Clinic, Ain Shams University. They were divided based on the clinical severity of β-thalassemia into three subgroups: 20 mild (24.4%), 24 moderate (29.3%), and 38 severe (46.3%). Age, gender, age of diagnosis, initial HbF level, transfusion history, and history of splenectomy were assessed. Anthropometric measures, signs of anemia and hemosiderosis, and the severity score were determined. Laboratory investigations such as complete blood picture, ferritin, and single gene polymorphism genotyping of the rs11886868 were also performed. Our findings showed that 16 children had CC genotype (19.5%), 38 had TC genotype (46.3%), and 28 had TT genotype (34.1%) of the rs#. β-thalassemia children with TT genotype had significantly higher severity scoring than the other two groups ( p  < 0.001). Moreover, mean initial HbF was found to be lower in children with TT genotype followed by TC and CC genotypes ( p  < 0.001). Increased γ-globin expression associated with BCL11A gene polymorphism is associated with better clinical severity of β-thalassemia.

This retrospective study was performed on 208 patients with Down syndrome (DS) from heterogeneous ethnic population and admitted under Genetics Metabolic Unit. The aim of the study was to look for phenotypic variability and associated complications in children and adolescents with DS. The average age of the evaluated DS patients was 34 months. Cardiac anomalies were found in 128 (62%) of the 208 cases. Among the cardiac disorders, atrial septal defects accounted for 30% of cases. Other complications observed were hypothyroidism and developmental delay in around 31% cases and neonatal cholestasis in 14% cases. Also, we report two cases with Moya-Moya disease and one case with atlanto-axial dislocation.

Introduction  IQSEC2-related encephalopathy is an X-linked childhood neurodevelopmental disorder with intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism. This disorder is caused by a mutation in the IQSEC2 gene, the product of which plays an important role in the development of the central nervous system. Case Report  We describe the symptomatology, clinical course, and management of a 17-month-old male child with a novel IQSEC2 mutation. He presented with an atypical Rett syndrome phenotype with developmental delay, autistic features, midline stereotypies, microcephaly, hypotonia and epilepsy with multiple seizure types including late-onset infantile spasms. Spasms were followed by worsening of behavior and cognition, and regression of acquired milestones. Treatment with steroids led to control of spasms and improved attention, behavior and recovery of lost motor milestone. In the past 10 months following steroid therapy, child lags in development, remains autistic with no further seizure recurrence. Conclusion  IQSEC2-related encephalopathy may present with Rett atypical phenotypes and childhood spasms. In resource-limited settings, steroids may be considered for spasm remission in IQSEC2-related epileptic encephalopathy.

Acetabular protrusion (AP) is present in 33 to 55% of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Even though the finding is relatively common, it is poorly described in pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence and associations of AP in pediatric OI patients. We retrospectively and cross-sectionally evaluated clinical histories and radiographic findings of OI patients aged 2 to 19.5 years, recording sex, age, severity, anthropometric measurements, ambulation status, femoral fractures history, and occurrence of orthopaedic surgeries and nephropathy. AP was considered present when the center-edge (CE) angle was more than 35 degrees and the acetabular line crossed the Kohler's line by more than 1 and 3 mm in boys and girls, respectively, and 3 and 6 mm in adult males and females, respectively. The association with risk factors and complications was analyzed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 71 children were evaluated. The median age was 8.6 years, and 54.9% of them had moderate to severe forms of OI. In 71.8% of the children, an abnormal CE angle was found, being frequent in mild, moderate, and severe cases. AP was present in 22.5% of all patients and in 41% of children with moderate to severe OI, and was significantly associated with older ages ( p  = 0.0062) and nonwalking status ( p  = 0.0093). We found a high prevalence of AP in children with moderate to severe forms of OI, which was present even at younger ages. In addition, we found a significant increase in the number of children with abnormal CE angles even in those with mild forms of OI. The presence of AP was associated with the severity of the OI and age, and in a negative association with the ambulatory status.

Approximately 30 sex chromosome discordant chimera cases have been reported to date. In particular, there are few reported cases of chimerism involving coexisting normal and abnormal lineages that each carries a distinct sex chromosome complement. To our knowledge, this is the first case of sexual chimerism with a simultaneous chromosomal aneuploidy involving chromosome 8. This report represents the data from 11 years of follow-up.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a severe subtype of epidermolysis bullosa caused by changes in collagen VII with a high risk of early development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). This review aimed to discuss the relationship between the recurrent healing process, the appearance of fibrosis, and malignant epithelial transformation in RDEB. We searched PubMed, the Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library, and Embase for articles on the relationship between blistering, recurrent scarring, and fibrosis in the context of cSCC and RDEB. That alterations of collagen VII result in blister formation, scar deficiency associated with inflammation, and increased expression of transforming growth factor β. These events promote the differentiation of myofibroblasts and the expression of profibrotic proteins, leading to structural changes and the establishment of a microenvironment favorable to carcinogenesis. Patients with RDEB and areas of recurrent scarring and fibrosis may be more prone to the development of cSCC.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are one of the most prevalent clinical features described in individuals diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). Therefore, cardiac malformations may be the main finding to refer for syndrome investigation, especially in individuals with a mild phenotype. Nowadays, different cytogenetic methodologies have emerged and are used routinely in research laboratories. Hence, choosing an efficient technology and providing an accurate interpretation of clinical findings is crucial for 22q11.2DS patient's diagnosis. This systematic review provides an update of the last 20 years of research on 22q11.2DS patients with CHD and the investigation process behind each diagnosis. A search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and LILACS using all entry terms to DiGeorge syndrome, CHDs, and cytogenetic analysis. After screening, 60 papers were eligible for review. We present a new insight of ventricular septal defect as a possible pivotal cardiac finding in individuals with 22q11.2DS. Also, we describe molecular technologies and cardiac evaluation as valuable tools in order to guide researchers in future investigations.

In this article, parents' supernatural beliefs on causes of birth defects were reviewed and discussed from Islamic perspective to draw attention to the importance of supernatural powers in Islamic teachings. Birth defects have been known since ancient ages and many people with different birth defects, who lived in antiquity, have been described. Although reasons for birth defects given in early medieval, 13th, 16th, and 21st centuries medical texts showed differences, numerous people in different cultures of the world have believed the effects of supernatural powers can cause birth defects since early medieval ages. Sixteenth century medical authors associated biomedical explanations with social upheavals and theology in order to understand the individual sins and the signs of the times presented by Allah through malformed human births. However, there is no religious phrase mentioning about causes of birth defects in medical textbooks of the 21st century. Based on the Islamic teachings, we would like to emphasize that supernatural beliefs including "Allah's will and qadar," "a test from Allah," "a punishment from Allah," "nazar (evil eye)," "sihr (magic or sorcery)," and "jinn possession" believed by parents as a cause of birth defects are right, real, and true, and not superstition or misconception. The Quran says "everything is determined by Almighty Allah" and "no kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah." So, we strongly believe that religious teachings must be integrated into modern medicine. The need for religion is not only for Muslims but also for all people a need of pre-eternity and posteternity. The unfortunate humanity today suffers in great pain from the constant sorrow and disasters of being deprived of the religion blessing.