The genetics of recurrent hydatidiform moles in Mexico: further evidence of a strong founder effect for one mutation in NLRP7 and its widespread.

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of a founder mutation in NLRP7, L750V, in independent cohorts of Mexican patients with recurrent hydatidiform moles (RHMs). METHODS: Mutation analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing on DNA from 44 unrelated Mexican patients with RHMs and seven molar tissues from seven additional unrelated patients. RESULTS: L750V was present in homozygous or heterozygous state in 37 (86%) patients and was transmitted on the same haplotype to patients from different states of Mexico. We also identified a second founder mutation, c.2810+2T>G in eight (18.1%) patients, and a novel premature stop-codon mutation W653*. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the strong founder effect for L750V, which appears to be the most common mutation in NLRP7. We also report on six healthy live births to five patients with biallelic NLRP7 mutations, two from spontaneous conceptions and four from donated ovum and discuss our recommendations for DNA testing and genetic counseling.

Heterogeneous Diagnoses Underlying Radial Ray Anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: To review perinatal Radial Ray Anomaly (RRA) cases born at the National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico, and to reveal the heterogeneous diagnoses of these patients. METHODS: All patients with RRA over a 18 mo period were included; 4/15 were detected prenatally and 11/15 postnatally. Karyotype was performed for all patients with bilateral RRA; and chromosomal breakage analysis, when the karyotype was normal. RESULTS: Fifteen RRA patients were identified: one with trisomy 18, three with an isolated defect, six with monogenic disease, four with a genetic association and one with diabetic embryopathy. Five were stillborn and two died during the early neonatal period; all of whom presented with multiple defects. Three of the live born patients and one stillborn with multiple defects had Fanconi anemia. RRAs carry a high perinatal mortality rate (47%) when they occur in association with other defects. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of these patients needs to involve the combined use of ultrasound, clinical, genetic, cytogenetic and molecular testing. The present results indicate that the chromosome breakage test should always be performed to rule out Fanconi anemia in this group.

Análisis y resultados clinicocitogenéticos de fetos y recién nacidos con alteraciones cromosómicas durante un año en el Instituto Nacional de Perinatología / Analysis of clinical and cytogenetic studies fetus and new born with chromosomal anomalies during one year at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología

Introducción: Las anormalidades cromosómicas son una causa frecuente de morbilidad y mortalidad en la población humana. Objetivo: Describir el número y tipo de las alteraciones cromosómicas numéricas y estructurales detectadas en estudios citogenéticos realizados prenatalmente y en recién nacidos en el Instituto Nacional de Perinatología (INPer) durante el periodo comprendido de enero a diciembre del 2003. Metodología: Realizar un estudio descriptivo de tipo retrolectivo de los pacientes revisados por el Departamento de Genética con defectos congénitos que presentaron anormalidades cromosómicas. Resultados: Durante el año 2003, 3.26% (189/5795) de los pacientes nacidos en el INPer presentaron defectos al nacimiento, de los cuales veintisiete pacientes mostraron un cariotipo anormal de los cuales 21 (77.7%) presentaron alteraciones cromosómicas numéricas; además, en seis (22.2%) se encontró una alteración cromosómica estructural, lo que representa 0.46% de los pacientes nacidos en el INPer. En seis casos el diagnóstico se realizó en etapa prenatal y se corroboró al nacimiento. Conclusiones: La mayoría de alteraciones cromosómicas se presentan con múltiples defectos al nacimiento y con alteración en el crecimiento y desarrollo mental. Es importante que ante la presencia de pacientes con múltiples defectos mayores estructurales se sospechen este tipo de alteraciones y se realicen los estudios necesarios a la familia para poder brindar un adecuado asesoramiento genético.

Introduction: Chromosomal anomalies are a frequent cause of human disease. Objective: Describe the numerical and structural chromosomal anomalies detected by cytogenetic studies done prenatally and in newborns found in the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología during the period between January and December 2003. Methods: Descriptive study of the patients with congenital defects seen by the Genetics Department who presented chromosomal anomalies. Results: During the year 2003, the 3.46% (189/5795) of the babies born at the INPer had structural anomalies. Twenty patients had a chromosomal anomaly of which 21 (77.7%) had a chromosomal numeric alteration and six (22.2%) a chromosomal structural anomaly which represented 0.46% of the newborns. In six cases the diagnosis was done prenatally and confirmed at birth. Conclusions: Most of the chromosomal anomalies present themselves with multiple congenital anomalies and retarded growth and development. It is very important to implement this type of studies in patients with congenital anomalies, complete the familiar study and provide an accurate genetic counseling to the parents.