Phenotypic and mutational spectrum of ROR2-related Robinow syndrome.

Robinow syndrome is characterized by a triad of craniofacial dysmorphisms, disproportionate-limb short stature, and genital hypoplasia. A significant degree of phenotypic variability seems to correlate with different genes/loci. Disturbances of the noncanonical WNT-pathway have been identified as the main cause of the syndrome. Biallelic variants in ROR2 cause an autosomal recessive form of the syndrome with distinctive skeletal findings. Twenty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome were screened for variants in ROR2 using multiple molecular approaches. We identified 25 putatively pathogenic ROR2 variants, 16 novel, including single nucleotide variants and exonic deletions. Detailed phenotypic analyses revealed that all subjects presented with a prominent forehead, hypertelorism, short nose, abnormality of the nasal tip, brachydactyly, mesomelic limb shortening, short stature, and genital hypoplasia in male patients. A total of 19 clinical features were present in more than 75% of the subjects, thus pointing to an overall uniformity of the phenotype. Disease-causing variants in ROR2, contribute to a clinically recognizable autosomal recessive trait phenotype with multiple skeletal defects. A comprehensive quantitative clinical evaluation of this cohort delineated the phenotypic spectrum of ROR2-related Robinow syndrome. The identification of exonic deletion variant alleles further supports the contention of a loss-of-function mechanism in the etiology of the syndrome.

[Formula: see text] Neuropsychological functioning and its relationship with brain anatomical measures of children and adolescents with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) show cognitive performance below expected. This difficulty can be associated with alterations in the cortical thickness and volume of brain regions. The aim of this study was to investigate anatomical brain characteristics and their relationship with the neuropsychological scores of children and adolescents with NSCLP. Methods: Twenty-four children and adolescents with ages from 10 to 16 years and 11 months (12 with a diagnosis of NSCLP; 12 with typical development) were enrolled. Neuropsychological tests were administered and high-resolution, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in a 1.5 T scanner. Results: Compared to the control group, NSCLP individuals showed intellectual (p = 0.006) and cognitive (p = 0.003) impairment, as well as deficits in subdomains of executive functions (sustained attention, working memory, and cognitive planning). The morphological analysis showed reduced volumes and cortical thickness in temporal, parietal, and frontal regions, in both hemispheres, of the NSCLP group. Significant, strong associations of structural alterations and cognitive performance were observed. Conclusions: Our study provided strong evidence of the relationship between brain development in children and adolescents with NSCLP, and their neuropsychological profile. This relationship is characterized by a malfunction of associative areas of the brain, such as parieto-temporo-occipital, frontoparietal, and prefrontal regions.

Microphthalmia, Linear Skin Defects, Callosal Agenesis, and Cleft Palate in a Patient with Deletion at Xp22.3p22.2.

The authors describe the clinical findings observed in a Brazilian girl that are suggestive of microphthalmia and linear skin defects (MLS) also known as MIDAS syndrome (OMIM #309801). She also presented with short stature, agenesis of corpus callosum, cleft palate, enamel defects, and genitourinary anomalies, which are rarely reported within the clinical spectrum of MLS. The 11,5 Mb deletion in Xp22.3p22.2 observed in the patient includes the entire HCCS gene (responsible for the MLS phenotype) and also encompasses several other genes involved with behavioral phenotypes, craniofacial and central nervous system development such as MID1, NLGN4X, AMELX , ARHGAP6, and TBL1X. The whole clinical features of our proband possibly represents an unusual MLS syndromic phenotype caused by an Xp22.3p22.2 continuous gene deletion.

Hyoid Bone Position and Head Posture in Patients With Richieri-Costa Pereira Syndrome (EIF4A3 Mutations).

Robin sequence with cleft mandible and limb anomalies, known as Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome (RCPS), is an autosomal recessive acrofacial dysostosis characterized by mandibular cleft and other craniofacial anomalies and respiratory complications. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the hyoid and head posture of 9 individuals with RCPS using cephalometric measurements and provide a discussion about its implications in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study was conducted on lateral cephalograms of patients with RCPS and 9 selected age-matched controls in tertiary cleft center in Brazil. The cephalograms were digitized and analyzed on a software to obtain the vertical and horizontal hyoid position, its relationship with the mandible and the relation of the cranial base and postvertebral line. The t test was used for analysis of means and Levene's test for equality of variances.Cephalometric measurements H-S (vertical distance between hyoid bone and sella) (Supplemental Digital Content, Figure 1, http://links.lww.com/SCS/B247) and H-C4lp (horizontal position of the hyoid in relation to the post-pharyngeal space) showed statistically significant difference compared to controls (P < 0.05). Therefore, the hyoid bone was more inferiorly and posteriorly positioned in the study group compared with the control group. The vertebrae measurements did not present differences compared to controls. The described position of hyoid bone could be involved in the severe OSAS of RCPS patients.

Holoprosencephaly, orofacial cleft, and frontonaso-orbital encephaloceles: Genetic evaluation of a possible new syndrome.

Here we report on a Brazilian child who presented semilobar holoprosencephaly, frontonasal encephaloceles and bilateral cleft lip and palate. Malformations also included agenesis of the corpus callosum, abnormal cortical gyres, dilation of the aqueduct, bilateral endolymphatic sac, bilateral cystic cocci-vestibular malformation, and a cribriform defect. The 3D TC craniofacial images showed abnormal frontonasal transition region, with a bone bifurcation, and partial agenesis of nasal bone. The trunk and upper and lower limbs were normal. To our knowledge, this rare association of holoprocensephaly with frontonaso-orbital encephaloceles without limb anomalies has never been reported before. Karyotype was normal. SNP-array showed no copy-number alterations but revealed 25% of regions of homozygosity (ROH) with normal copy number, indicating a high coefficient of inbreeding, which significantly increases the risk for an autosomal recessive disorder. Whole exome sequencing analysis did not reveal any pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. We discuss the possible influence of two variants of uncertain significance found within the patient's ROHs. First, a missense p.(Gly394Ser) in PCSK9, a gene involved in the regulation of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Second, an inframe duplication p.(Ala75_Ala81dup) in SP8, a zinc-finger transcription factor that regulates signaling centers during craniofacial development. Further studies and/or the identification of other patients with a similar phenotype will help elucidate the genetic etiology of this complex case.

Craniofacial Morphology in Patients With Opitz G/BBB Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cephalometric characteristics of patients with and without Opitz G/BBB syndrome type I. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary cleft center in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen individuals with Opitz G/BBB syndrome with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), compared to 18 individuals with nonsyndromic complete cleft lip and palate and 18 individuals without malformations, matched for gender and age. INTERVENTIONS: Pretreatment lateral cephalograms of all patients were manually traced and digitized for achievement of linear and angular measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis followed by Tukey tests were used for intergroup comparisons at a significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: Individuals with Opitz G/BBB syndrome exhibited alterations in SNGn, P-Co, and N'-Pr/Po-Or that were not attributable to BCLP. Co-Go, Sella-Nasion-Supramentale, ANB (maxillo-mandibular relationship), and anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine (ANS-PNS)/U1A-U1T were significantly different in both G/BBB and BCLP groups compared to control, but not different between G/BBB and BCLP groups. Anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine/Go-Gn, ANS-PNS, V-Upper pharyngeal wall, and U-lower pharyngeal wall were different in nonsyndromic BLCP compared to nonsyndromic controls and Opitz G/BBB group. CONCLUSION: Patients with Opitz G/BBB syndrome exhibited some unique cephalometric alterations compared to patients with nonsyndromic complete BCLP and controls.

Common genetic causes of holoprosencephaly are limited to a small set of evolutionarily conserved driver genes of midline development coordinated by TGF-ß, hedgehog, and FGF signaling.

Here, we applied targeted capture to examine 153 genes representative of all the major vertebrate developmental pathways among 333 probands to rank their relative significance as causes for holoprosencephaly (HPE). We now show that comparisons of variant transmission versus nontransmission among 136 HPE Trios indicates some reported genes now lack confirmation, while novel genes are implicated. Furthermore, we demonstrate that variation of modest intrinsic effect can synergize with these driver mutations as gene modifiers.

Cephalometric Findings in Nine Individuals With Richieri-Costa-Pereira Syndrome.

The Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome (RCPS) is an autosomal-recessive acrofacial dysostosis caused by mutations in EIF4A3, characterized by mandibular cleft comprising other craniofacial anomalies and limb defects such as cleft palate/Robin Sequence, microstomia, absence of mandibular central incisors, minor ear anomalies, clubfeet and first and 5 ray defects. The findings from this study are useful for better understanding the morphological consequences of disorders of EIF4A3, and having a better picture of the anatomic characteristics of the syndrome for a better therapeutic planning. Twenty-four angular and linear variables were measured to assess anteroposterior and vertical (superior-inferior) position of the cranial base, maxilla, mandible, and facial profile. The cephalometric radiographic analysis was performed on 9 individuals with RCPS, obtained at a mean age of 10.3 years, and compared with randomly selected age-matched 9 controls, without clefts and with well-balanced faces, with mean age of 10.6 years (both groups range 8.1 to 13.7 years). t test was used for analysis of means and Levene test for equality of variances. The syndrome group presented severe mandibular hypoplasia and retrognathism (P = 0.009, P = 0.001), greater facial convexity (N'PnPog and N'SnPog, P < 0.05) in syndrome group compared with the control group (P = 0.003, P = 0.004). In conclusion, in the RCPS group, most craniofacial defects affect the lower facial third, considering the severely affected mandible.

Variants in members of the cadherin-catenin complex, CDH1 and CTNND1, cause blepharocheilodontic syndrome.

Blepharocheilodontic syndrome (BCDS) consists of lagophthalmia, ectropion of the lower eyelids, distichiasis, euryblepharon, cleft lip/palate and dental anomalies and has autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expression. We identified heterozygous variants in two genes of the cadherin-catenin complex, CDH1, encoding E-cadherin, and CTNND1, encoding p120 catenin delta1 in 15 of 17 BCDS index patients, as was recently described in a different publication. CDH1 plays an essential role in epithelial cell adherence; CTNND1 binds to CDH1 and controls the stability of the complex. Functional experiments in zebrafish and human cells showed that the CDH1 variants impair the cell adhesion function of the cadherin-catenin complex in a dominant-negative manner. Variants in CDH1 have been linked to familial hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and invasive lobular breast cancer; however, no cases of gastric or breast cancer have been reported in our BCDS cases. Functional experiments reported here indicated the BCDS variants comprise a distinct class of CDH1 variants. Altogether, we identified the genetic cause of BCDS enabling DNA diagnostics and counseling, in addition we describe a novel class of dominant negative CDH1 variants.

Mandibulofacial dysostosis Bauru type: Refining the phenotype.

Mandibulofacial dysostosis (MFD) Bauru type (OMIM 604830) is a rare genetic condition characterized mainly by malar hypoplasia, orofacial cleft, and micrognathia. Here, we describe the clinical and radiographic sings of 13 individuals (12 female and 1 male) from eight unrelated kindreds with MFD Bauru type, including four previously reported cases, treated at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies. The clinical phenotype was characterized by severe underdevelopment of mandible, midface hypoplasia, orofacial cleft, bitemporal narrowing, mild upper eyelid down slanting, high nasal bridge, thick and everted lower lip, minor ears abnormalities, and hearing loss. Radiographic aspects included downslanting of zygomatic arch, maxillary hypoplasia, microretrognathia, hypoplastic mandibular condyles, and ectopic external auditory canal. Recurrence was observed in two of eight families and the affected distribution pattern was compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance in one and autosomal recessive in another, indicating possible genetic heterogeneity for this condition. Clinical and radiographic findings in this report contribute to the delineation of this rare MFD.

Multisystem Involvement in a Patient with a PTCH1 Mutation: Clinical and Imaging Findings.

In this article, we report on a Brazilian female patient born to consanguineous parents and presenting with alobar holoprosencephaly, severe eye involvement, and unusual skin hyperpigmented lesions. She was found to have a mutation (c.2240T > C; p.Val751Gly) in exon 15 of the PTCH1 gene. Mutations in this gene are associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS, OMIM 109400) and, in other instances, with holoprosencephaly (holoprosencephaly-7, OMIM 610828). Severe eye involvement ranging from orbital coloboma to microphthalmia has been seldom reported in patients with NBCCS with PTCH1 mutations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an individual with central nervous system, skin, and eye manifestations due to a PTCH1 mutation. Mechanisms involved in these multisystem manifestations are discussed.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome in diverse populations.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) is the most common microdeletion syndrome and is underdiagnosed in diverse populations. This syndrome has a variable phenotype and affects multiple systems, making early recognition imperative. In this study, individuals from diverse populations with 22q11.2 DS were evaluated clinically and by facial analysis technology. Clinical information from 106 individuals and images from 101 were collected from individuals with 22q11.2 DS from 11 countries; average age was 11.7 and 47% were male. Individuals were grouped into categories of African descent (African), Asian, and Latin American. We found that the phenotype of 22q11.2 DS varied across population groups. Only two findings, congenital heart disease and learning problems, were found in greater than 50% of participants. When comparing the clinical features of 22q11.2 DS in each population, the proportion of individuals within each clinical category was statistically different except for learning problems and ear anomalies (P < 0.05). However, when Africans were removed from analysis, six additional clinical features were found to be independent of ethnicity (P ≥ 0.05). Using facial analysis technology, we compared 156 Caucasians, Africans, Asians, and Latin American individuals with 22q11.2 DS with 156 age and gender matched controls and found that sensitivity and specificity were greater than 96% for all populations. In summary, we present the varied findings from global populations with 22q11.2 DS and demonstrate how facial analysis technology can assist clinicians in making accurate 22q11.2 DS diagnoses. This work will assist in earlier detection and in increasing recognition of 22q11.2 DS throughout the world.

EIF4A3 deficient human iPSCs and mouse models demonstrate neural crest defects that underlie Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome.

Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the RNA-binding protein EIF4A3 cause Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome (RCPS), an autosomal recessive condition mainly characterized by craniofacial and limb malformations. However, the pathogenic cellular mechanisms responsible for this syndrome are entirely unknown. Here, we used two complementary approaches, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and conditional Eif4a3 mouse models, to demonstrate that defective neural crest cell (NCC) development explains RCPS craniofacial abnormalities. RCPS iNCCs have decreased migratory capacity, a distinct phenotype relative to other craniofacial disorders. Eif4a3 haploinsufficient embryos presented altered mandibular process fusion and micrognathia, thus recapitulating the most penetrant phenotypes of the syndrome. These defects were evident in either ubiquitous or NCC-specific Eif4a3 haploinsufficient animals, demonstrating an autonomous requirement of Eif4a3 in NCCs. Notably, RCPS NCC-derived mesenchymal stem-like cells (nMSCs) showed premature bone differentiation, a phenotype paralleled by premature clavicle ossification in Eif4a3 haploinsufficient embryos. Likewise, nMSCs presented compromised in vitro chondrogenesis, and Meckel's cartilage was underdeveloped in vivo. These findings indicate novel and essential requirements of EIF4A3 for NCC migration and osteochondrogenic differentiation during craniofacial development. Altogether, complementary use of iPSCs and mouse models pinpoint unique cellular mechanisms by which EIF4A3 mutation causes RCPS, and provide a paradigm to study craniofacial disorders.

Down syndrome in diverse populations.

Down syndrome is the most common cause of cognitive impairment and presents clinically with universally recognizable signs and symptoms. In this study, we focus on exam findings and digital facial analysis technology in individuals with Down syndrome in diverse populations. Photos and clinical information were collected on 65 individuals from 13 countries, 56.9% were male and the average age was 6.6 years (range 1 month to 26 years; SD = 6.6 years). Subjective findings showed that clinical features were different across ethnicities (Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans), including brachycephaly, ear anomalies, clinodactyly, sandal gap, and abundant neck skin, which were all significantly less frequent in Africans (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05, respectively). Evaluation using a digital facial analysis technology of a larger diverse cohort of newborns to adults (n = 129 cases; n = 132 controls) was able to diagnose Down syndrome with a sensitivity of 0.961, specificity of 0.924, and accuracy of 0.943. Only the angles at medial canthus and ala of the nose were common significant findings amongst different ethnicities (Caucasians, Africans, and Asians) when compared to ethnically matched controls. The Asian group had the least number of significant digital facial biometrics at 4, compared to Caucasians at 8 and Africans at 7. In conclusion, this study displays the wide variety of findings across different geographic populations in Down syndrome and demonstrates the accuracy and promise of digital facial analysis technology in the diagnosis of Down syndrome internationally. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interstitial 1q21.1 Microdeletion Is Associated with Severe Skeletal Anomalies, Dysmorphic Face and Moderate Intellectual Disability.

We report on a Brazilian patient with a 1.7-Mb interstitial microdeletion in chromosome 1q21.1. The phenotypic characteristics include microcephaly, a peculiar facial gestalt, cleft lip/palate, and multiple skeletal anomalies represented by malformed phalanges, scoliosis, abnormal modeling of vertebral bodies, hip dislocation, abnormal acetabula, feet anomalies, and delayed neuropsychological development. Deletions reported in this region are clinically heterogeneous, ranging from subtle phenotypic manifestations to severe congenital heart defects and/or neurodevelopmental findings. A few genes within the deleted region are associated with congenital anomalies, mainly the RBM8A, DUF1220, and HYDIN2 paralogs. Our patient presents with a spectrum of unusual malformations of 1q21.1 deletion syndrome not reported up to date.

Language, behavior and neurodevelopment in Joubert syndrome: a case report. / Linguagem, comportamento e neurodesenvolvimento na Síndrome de Joubert: relato de caso.

The Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare, heterogeneous genetic condition among the ciliopathies. More than 20 genes have been identified associated with this phenotype. The main manifestations include hypotonia, ataxia, psychomotor retardation, ocular-motor apraxia and neonatal respiratory abnormalities. The objective of this paper was to present language and neurodevelopmental findings of an individual diagnosed with JS. The following procedures were performed: anamnesis, clinical genetic evaluation observation of communicative behavior, evaluation of language, the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II) and the Early Language Milestone Scale (ELMS). The main findings of the MRI brain showed severe hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, "molar tooth sign", hypoplastic brain stem and atrophy of the cerebellar hemispheres. The observation and evaluation of the language showed no oral, impaired reception of language, confirming the diagnosis of language disorder with severe degree of impairment. The DDST-II and the ELMS confirmed the observation and clinical assessment and indicated serious delay in motor domains, self-care and receptive and expressive language. Given the presence of hypotonia, ataxia, delayed psychomotor and neonatal respiratory abnormalities it is essential to carry out examination imaging and genetic evaluation for the diagnosis of this condition, so complex, with unique therapeutic needs. This set of findings, along with the familial history and unique phenotypic characteristics reinforce the clinical genetic diagnosis JS. This genetic syndrome is rarely recognized and deserves to be presented to the recognition of the scientific community, targeting the correct diagnosis and treatment planning that minimizes the deleterious effects of this condition.

Linguagem, comportamento e neurodesenvolvimento na Síndrome de Joubert: relato de caso / Language, behavior and neurodevelopment in Joubert syndrome: a case report

RESUMO A síndrome de Joubert (SJ) é uma condição genética heterogênea, rara, do grupo das ciliopatias. Mais de 20 genes foram identificados relacionados com este fenótipo. As principais manifestações incluem hipotonia, ataxia, atraso psicomotor, apraxia oculomotora e anormalidades respiratórias neonatais. O objetivo deste artigo foi apresentar achados de linguagem e neurodesenvolvimento de um indivíduo com diagnóstico da SJ. Foi realizada a anamnese, avaliação genética clínica, observação do comportamento comunicativo, avaliação da linguagem, o Teste de Screening de Desenvolvimento Denver-II (TSDD-II) e a Early Language Milestone Scale (ELMS). Os principais achados da Ressonância Magnética do encéfalo mostraram grave hipoplasia do vérmis cerebelar, “sinal do dente molar”, tronco cerebral hipoplásico, atrofia dos hemisférios cerebelares. A avaliação da linguagem mostrou ausência de oralidade, prejuízo na recepção da linguagem, confirmando o diagnóstico de transtorno de linguagem, com grau de comprometimento grave. O TSDD-II e a ELMS comprovaram a observação e avaliação clínica e indicaram atraso grave nos domínios motor, autocuidados e de linguagem receptiva e expressiva. Diante da presença de hipotonia, ataxia, atraso psicomotor e anormalidades respiratórias neonatais é imprescindível a realização de exame por imagem e avaliação genética para o diagnóstico desta condição, tão complexa, com necessidades terapêuticas peculiares. Este conjunto de achados, associado à história familial e características fenotípicas peculiares reforçam o diagnóstico genético clínico da SJ. Esta síndrome genética é pouco reconhecida e merece ser apresentada para o reconhecimento da comunidade científica, visando o diagnóstico correto e planejamento terapêutico que minimize os efeitos deletérios desta condição.

ABSTRACT The Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare, heterogeneous genetic condition among the ciliopathies. More than 20 genes have been identified associated with this phenotype. The main manifestations include hypotonia, ataxia, psychomotor retardation, ocular-motor apraxia and neonatal respiratory abnormalities. The objective of this paper was to present language and neurodevelopmental findings of an individual diagnosed with JS. The following procedures were performed: anamnesis, clinical genetic evaluation observation of communicative behavior, evaluation of language, the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II) and the Early Language Milestone Scale (ELMS). The main findings of the MRI brain showed severe hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, “molar tooth sign”, hypoplastic brain stem and atrophy of the cerebellar hemispheres. The observation and evaluation of the language showed no oral, impaired reception of language, confirming the diagnosis of language disorder with severe degree of impairment. The DDST-II and the ELMS confirmed the observation and clinical assessment and indicated serious delay in motor domains, self-care and receptive and expressive language. Given the presence of hypotonia, ataxia, delayed psychomotor and neonatal respiratory abnormalities it is essential to carry out examination imaging and genetic evaluation for the diagnosis of this condition, so complex, with unique therapeutic needs. This set of findings, along with the familial history and unique phenotypic characteristics reinforce the clinical genetic diagnosis JS. This genetic syndrome is rarely recognized and deserves to be presented to the recognition of the scientific community, targeting the correct diagnosis and treatment planning that minimizes the deleterious effects of this condition.

Fluency aspects of oral narrative task in del22q11.2 syndrome. / Aspectos da fluência em tarefa de narrativa oral na síndrome del22q11.2.

PURPOSE: To investigate the fluency aspects of the oral narrative task in individuals with del22q11.2 syndrome and compare them with those of individuals with typical language development. METHODS: Fifteen individuals diagnosed with del22q11.2 syndrome, both genders, aged 7-17 years participated in this study. They were compared with 15 individuals with typical language development, with similar gender and chronological age profiles. The oral narrative was elicited using the book "Frog, Where Are You?", and the fluency aspects were analyzed according to speech rate and type and frequency of disfluency (typical and stuttering). The number and duration of pauses were also investigated. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The group with del22q11.2 syndrome showed a higher average when compared with the group without the syndrome for the percentage of typical disfluencies, mainly hesitation and revision. The group presenting the syndrome also showed a higher average for stuttering disfluencies, with pause as the most frequent disfluency. With respect to speech rate, the group with the syndrome presented a lower average for the number of words and syllables per minute. Individuals with del22q11.2 syndrome showed greater difficulties of narration than their peers. CONCLUSION: The fluency aspects of the oral narrative task in subjects with del22q11.2 syndrome were similar to those of individuals with typical language development regarding the presence of hesitation, revision, and pause, but they were different with respect to frequency of disfluency, which was higher in individuals with the syndrome.

Aspectos da fluência em tarefa de narrativa oral na síndrome del22q11. 2 / Fluency aspects of oral narrative task in del22q11. 2 syndrome

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar os aspectos da fluência em tarefa de narrativa oral na síndrome del22q11.2 e comparar com indivíduos com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem. Método Participaram deste estudo 15 indivíduos com diagnóstico da síndrome del22q11.2, de ambos os gêneros, com idade cronológica de sete a 17 anos, que foram comparados a 15 indivíduos com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem, semelhantes quanto ao gênero e à idade cronológica. A narrativa oral foi eliciada com o livro Frog Where Are You?, e os aspectos da fluência foram analisados quanto ao tipo e frequência de disfluência (comum e gaga) e velocidade de fala. Foram analisados também o número e a duração das pausas. Os achados foram analisados estatisticamente. Resultados O grupo com a síndrome del22q11.2 apresentou média superior em relação ao grupo sem a síndrome, para a porcentagem de disfluências comuns, principalmente hesitação e revisão. O grupo com a síndrome também apresentou média superior para disfluências gagas, sendo a pausa a disfluência mais frequente. Quanto à velocidade de fala, o grupo com a síndrome apresentou média inferior para o número de palavras e sílabas por minuto. Assim sendo, conclui-se que os indivíduos com a síndrome del22q11.2 apresentaram mais dificuldades para narrar do que os seus pares. Conclusão Os aspectos da fluência investigados foram semelhantes entre os grupo com a síndrome del22q11.2 e com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem quanto à presença de hesitação, revisão e pausa na narrativa oral, porém distinto quanto à frequência dessas disfluências, que foi superior para os indivíduos com a síndrome.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the fluency aspects of the oral narrative task in individuals with del22q11.2 syndrome and compare them with those of individuals with typical language development. Methods Fifteen individuals diagnosed with del22q11.2 syndrome, both genders, aged 7-17 years participated in this study. They were compared with 15 individuals with typical language development, with similar gender and chronological age profiles. The oral narrative was elicited using the book “Frog, Where Are You?”, and the fluency aspects were analyzed according to speech rate and type and frequency of disfluency (typical and stuttering). The number and duration of pauses were also investigated. The data were statistically analyzed. Results The group with del22q11.2 syndrome showed a higher average when compared with the group without the syndrome for the percentage of typical disfluencies, mainly hesitation and revision. The group presenting the syndrome also showed a higher average for stuttering disfluencies, with pause as the most frequent disfluency. With respect to speech rate, the group with the syndrome presented a lower average for the number of words and syllables per minute. Individuals with del22q11.2 syndrome showed greater difficulties of narration than their peers. Conclusion The fluency aspects of the oral narrative task in subjects with del22q11.2 syndrome were similar to those of individuals with typical language development regarding the presence of hesitation, revision, and pause, but they were different with respect to frequency of disfluency, which was higher in individuals with the syndrome.