Loss-of-function variants in () cause Siderius X-linked intellectual disability (ID) syndrome, hereafter called PHF8-XLID. PHF8 is a histone demethylase that is important for epigenetic regulation of gene expression. PHF8-XLID is an under-characterized disorder with only five previous reports describing different predicted loss-of-function variants in eight individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPathogenic variants in ALG13 (ALG13 UDP-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase subunit) cause an X-linked congenital disorder of glycosylation (ALG13-CDG) where individuals have variable clinical phenotypes that include developmental delay, intellectual disability, infantile spasms, and epileptic encephalopathy. Girls with a recurrent de novo c.3013C>T; p.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne, single-stranded DNA flavivirus that is teratogenic and neurotropic. Similar to the teratogenic effects of other TORCH infections, ZIKV infection during pregnancy can have an adverse impact on fetal and neonatal development. Epilepsy is detected in 48-96% of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) and microcephaly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet
December 2020
We describe our experiences with organizing pro bono medical genetics and neurology outreach programs on several different resource-limited islands in the West Indies. Due to geographic isolation, small population sizes, and socioeconomic disparities, most Caribbean islands lack medical services for managing, diagnosing, and counseling individuals with genetic disorders. From 2015 to 2019, we organized 2-3 clinics per year on various islands in the Caribbean.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren with Congenital Zika Syndrome and microcephaly are at high risk for epilepsy; however, the risk is unclear in normocephalic children with prenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure [Exposed Children (EC)]. In this prospective cohort study, we performed epilepsy screening in normocephalic EC alongside a parallel group of normocephalic unexposed children [Unexposed Children (UC)]. We compared the incidence rate of epilepsy among EC and UC at one year of life to global incidence rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) comprises a recognizable pattern of multiple congenital anomalies caused by variants of the DNA cohesion complex. Affected individuals may display a wide range of phenotypic severity, even within the same family.
Methods: Exome sequencing and confirmatory Sanger sequencing showed the same previously described p.
It is a matter of course that in high-income countries, infants born with features suggestive of Down syndrome (DS) are offered genetic testing for confirmation of a clinical diagnosis. Benefits of a definitive diagnosis include an end to the diagnostic odyssey, informed prognosis, opportunities for caregiver support, inclusion to social support networks, and more meaningful genetic counseling. The healthcare experience for families of children born with DS in low- and middle-income nations is in stark contrast with such a level of care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF