Xp22.3 interstitial deletion: a recognizable chromosomal abnormality encompassing VCX3A and STS genes in a patient with X-linked ichthyosis and mental retardation.

X-linked ichthyosis is a genetic disorder affecting the skin and caused by a deficit in the steroid sulfatase enzyme (STS), often associated with a recurrent microdeletion at Xp22.31. Most of the STS deleted patients have X-linked ichthyosis as the only clinical feature and it is believed that patients with more complex disorders including mental retardation could be present as a result of contiguous gene deletion. In fact, VCX3A gene, a member of the VCX (variable charge, X chromosome) gene family, was previously proposed as the candidate gene for X-linked non-specific mental retardation in patients with X-linked ichthyosis. We report on a boy with familial ichthyosis, dysmorphic features and moderate mental retardation with approximately 2 Mb interstitial deletion on Xp22.3 involving VCX3A and STS genes.