Sensory Processing Challenges in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Genetic Conditions: An Observational Study.

Sensory processing challenges are crucial yet often neglected aspects in the care of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic conditions. They represent a key area of interest in neuroscience, as they significantly impact children's daily functioning and quality of life. This observational study examines these challenges in a group of 614 children, aged 3 to 14 years and 11 months, divided into three groups: 183 with neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental delays, and learning disorders), 89 with genetic conditions (22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Williams syndrome, and pseudohypoparathyroidism), and 342 controls. Sensory processing was assessed using Sensory Profile 2 (SP2). Results indicated that children with neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic conditions exhibited significant sensory processing difficulties compared to controls. SP2 identified distinct sensory challenges across different sensory systems, varying by diagnosis. Notably, genetic conditions appeared to have a more generalised impact across multiple sensory systems, while neurodevelopmental disorders tended to affect specific systems more narrowly. These findings highlight the importance of early identification and tailored evidence-based interventions to address these specific sensory processing issues. Further research should explore the long-term impact of these interventions in these different populations and their integration into broader therapeutic programmes.

Mortality in Patients with 22q11.2 Rearrangements.

The 22q11.2 region is highly susceptible to genomic rearrangements leading to multiple genomic disorders, including 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) (MIM# 188400), 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome (MIM# 608363), supernumerary der(22)t(11;22) syndrome (also known as Emanuel Syndrome; MIM# 609029), and Cat Eye Syndrome (MIM# 115470). In this study, we present data on causes of mortality, average age of death, and the existing associated risk factors in patients with 22q11.2 rearrangements. Our cohort included 223 patients (120 males and 103 females) with confirmed diagnoses of 22q11.2 rearrangements diagnosed through molecular techniques (FISH, MLPA, and CMA). Relatives from patients who have been molecularly confirmed with 22q11.2 rearrangements have also been added to the study, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. Of these 223 individuals, 21 (9.4%) died. Deceased patients' rearrangements include 19 microdeletions, 1 microduplication, and 1 patient with a marker chromosome. The median age of death was 3 months and 18 days (ranging from 3 days to 34 years). There were 17 patients who died at pediatric age (80.95%), 3 died at adult age (14.28%), and for 1 of whom, the age of death is unknown (4.76%). Eighteen patients were White Mediterranean (European non-Finnish) (85.71%) whereas three were Amerindian (South American) (14.28%). Mortality from cardiac causes accounted for 71.42%. The second most frequent cause of death was sepsis in two patients (9.52%). One patient died from respiratory failure (4.76%) and one from renal failure (4.76%). Information regarding the cause of death was not available in two patients (9.52%). Most patients who died were diagnosed within the first week of life, the majority on the first day. This study adds additional information on mortality in one of the largest cohorts of patients with 22q11.2 rearrangements in more than 30 years of follow-up.

European Society for Immunodeficiencies guidelines for the management of patients with congenital athymia.

Congenital athymia is a life-limiting disorder due to rare inborn errors of immunity causing impaired thymus organogenesis or abnormal thymic stromal cell development and function. Athymic infants have a T-lymphocyte-negative, B-lymphocyte-positive, natural killer cell-positive immunophenotype with profound T-lymphocyte deficiency and are susceptible to severe infections and autoimmunity. Patients variably display syndromic features. Expanding access to newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency and T lymphocytopenia and broad genetic testing, including next-generation sequencing technologies, increasingly facilitate their timely identification. The recommended first-line treatment is allogeneic thymus transplantation, which is a specialized procedure available in Europe and the United States. Outcomes for athymic patients are best with early diagnosis and thymus transplantation before the development of infectious and inflammatory complications. These guidelines on behalf of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies provide a comprehensive review for clinicians who manage patients with inborn thymic stromal cell defects; they offer clinical practice recommendations focused on the diagnosis, investigation, risk stratification, and management of congenital athymia with the aim of improving patient outcomes.

Platelet changes and bleeding symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The deletion region of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) contains a gene encoding glycoprotein Ibß (GPIbß), which is required to express the GPIb/IX/V complex on the platelet surface. Therefore, patients with 22q11.2DS may have congenital platelet disorders. However, information is limited on platelets and bleeding symptoms. In this study, we investigated clinical information, including bleeding symptoms, platelet counts, and GPIb expression levels in children and adolescents/adults with 22q11.2DS. PROCEDURE: Thirty-two patients with 22q11.2DS were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 2022 and 2023 at outpatient clinics within our institute. RESULTS: The median platelet counts in adolescents/adults with 22q11.2DS were significantly lower than those in children (p < .0001). A gradual decrease was found along with increasing age (p = .0006). Values of median GPIb expression on platelet surfaces (66% in children and 70% in adolescents/adults) were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p < .0001 and p = .0002). Bleeding symptoms included surgery-related bleeding (52%), purpura (31%), and epistaxis (22%); most of them were minor. The median International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis bleeding assessment tool score was not significantly different between children and adolescents/adults (p = .2311). CONCLUSION: Although there was an age-related decrease in platelet count and a disease-related decrease in GPIb expression, no difference in bleeding symptoms was found between children and adolescents/adults. 22q11.2DS overall had minor bleeding symptoms in daily life, and the disease had little effect on spontaneous bleeding. However, some patients had major bleeding events; further accumulation of data on hemostasis during surgery and trauma is required.

Hearing Loss in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Hearing loss is considered common in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), with a few prior studies reporting a 32%-78% prevalence; mild-moderate conductive hearing loss has been reported most commonly. Overall, however, there remains a paucity of data regarding the frequency, type, age, and progression of hearing loss in children with 22q11.2DS. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was completed, and data combined for two large 22q centers. Inclusion criteria were children with 22q11.2DS and a documented audiogram. Data extracted included a laboratory-confirmed chromosome 22q11.2 deletion; co-morbidities; results of all audiograms and radiologic temporal bone imaging; and otologic surgical procedures. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred sixty-nine charts were reviewed; 775 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 563 (73%) children had at least one abnormal audiogram demonstrating hearing loss. A total of 2,536 audiograms were reviewed; 74% of these showed abnormal hearing in at least one ear. Most of the hearing loss was conductive (right ear 76%; left ear 69%) and mild severity. For the children with SNHL, 90% of all follow-up audiograms were stable without progression. Hearing loss was identified across all pediatric age ranges. Ear tube placement occurred in 39% of children. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the high incidence of hearing loss for children with 22q11.2DS at some point in their childhood. In our cohort, hearing loss occurred in 73% of children and was most often conductive and mild in severity. The results highlight the importance of otolaryngology and audiology involvement in managing children with 22q11.2DS for timely diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

An Assessment of Adverse Events in Patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Undergoing Palatoplasty: An Analysis of the NSQIP Pediatric Database.

BACKGROUND: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric database has been used to identify factors related to adverse surgical outcomes in pediatric and craniofacial surgical procedures. Focusing on a historically "higher-risk" population, our aim was to assess the impact of demographics, comorbidities, and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22QDS) diagnosis on 30-day postoperative complications in patients undergoing primary palatoplasty. METHODS: We used the 2012-2020 NSQIP Pediatric database to identify patients ≤3 years with and without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome who underwent primary palatoplasty. Demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative characteristics were compared between those with and without 22QDS. Logistic regression was used to determine if children with 22QDS were more likely to experience a 30-day postoperative complication or readmission. RESULTS: There were 10,745 patients ≤3 years old who underwent primary palatoplasty; 83 (0.8%) of whom had 22QDS and 10,662 (99.8%) did not. Children with 22QDS were older when they underwent primary palatoplasty and more likely to have comorbidities. A total of 513 patients (4.8%) experienced a postoperative complication within 30 days and 255 were readmitted (2.4%). Of the 513, 8 (9.6%) had a 22QDS diagnosis and 505 (4.7%) did not. A diagnosis of 22QDS was not a significant independent risk factor for a complication (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50-2.54) or readmission (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 0.74-4.13) within 30 days. CONCLUSION: This study found that the diagnosis of 22QDS was not an independent predictor of post-palatoplasty complication risk, and in fact 30-day complications are rare for those patients undergoing cleft palate repair, even among those patients with 22QDS.

Differential inflammatory profiles in carriers of reciprocal 22q11.2 copy number variants.

BACKGROUND: Genetic copy number variants (CNVs; i.e., a deletion or duplication) at the 22q11.2 locus confer increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders and immune dysfunction. Inflammatory profiles of 22q11.2 CNV carriers can shed light on gene-immune relationships that may be related to neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, little is known about inflammation and its relationship to clinical phenotypes in 22q11.2 CNV carriers. Here, we investigate differences in peripheral inflammatory markers in 22q11.2 CNV carriers and explore their relationship with psychosis risk symptoms and sleep disturbance. METHODS: Blood samples and clinical assessments were collected from 22q11.2 deletion (22qDel) carriers (n=45), 22q11.2 duplication (22qDup) carriers (n=29), and typically developing (TD) control participants (n=92). Blood plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using a MesoScale Discovery multiplex immunoassay. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Linear mixed effects models controlling for age, sex, and body mass index were used to: a) examine group differences in inflammatory markers between 22qDel, 22qDup, and TD controls, b) test differences in inflammatory markers between 22qDel carriers with psychosis risk symptoms (22qDelPS+) and those without (22qDelPS-), and c) conduct an exploratory analysis testing the effect of sleep disturbance on inflammation in 22qDel and 22qDup carriers. A false discovery rate correction was used to correct for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: 22qDup carriers exhibited significantly elevated levels of IL-8 relative to TD controls (q<0.001) and marginally elevated IL-8 levels relative to 22qDel carriers (q=0.08). There were no other significant differences in inflammatory markers between the three groups (q>0.13). 22qDelPS+ exhibited increased levels of IL-8 relative to both 22qDelPS- (q=0.02) and TD controls (p=0.002). There were no relationships between sleep and inflammatory markers that survived FDR correction (q>0.14). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CNVs at the 22q11.2 locus may have differential effects on inflammatory processes related to IL-8, a key mediator of inflammation produced by macrophages and microglia. Further, these IL-8-mediated inflammatory processes may be related to psychosis risk symptoms in 22qDel carriers. Additional research is required to understand the mechanisms contributing to these differential levels of IL-8 between 22q11.2 CNV carriers and IL-8's association with psychosis risk.

Multiplex droplet digital PCR for 22q11.2 microdeletions screening and DiGeorge syndrome diagnostics.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is a genetic disorder manifesting in polymorphic symptoms related to developmental abnormalities of various organs including thymus. DGS is caused by microdeletions in the 22q11.2 region between several low copy repeats (LCR) occurring in approximately 1 in 4000 live births. Diagnosis of DGS relies on phenotypic examination, qPCR, ultrasound, FISH, MLPA and NGS which can be relatively inaccurate, time-consuming, and costly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel multiplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was designed, optimized and validated for detection and mapping 22q11.2 microdeletions by simultaneous amplification of three targets - TUPLE1, ZNF74, D22S936 - within the deletion areas and one reference target - RPP30 - as an internal control. RESULTS: The assay reliable identified microdeletions when the template concentration was >32 copies per reaction and successfully detected LCR22A-B, LCR22A-C, LCR22A-D, and LCR22B-C deletions in clinical samples from 153 patients with signs of immunodeficiency. In patients with the microdeletions, flow cytometry detected a significant increase in B-cell and natural killer cell counts and percentages, while T-cell percentages and T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) numbers decreased. CONCLUSION: The designed ddPCR assay is suitable for diagnosing DGS using whole blood and blood spots.

Short communication: catechol-O-methyltransferase allelic variation in relation to psychological and hormonal indices of stress in children and adolescents with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS).

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a developmental disorder with high rates of anxiety and psychosis. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) regulates epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) and is implicated in both anxiety and psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine how COMT variation relates to psychological anxiety and associated stress physiology responsiveness to better understand symptom heterogeneity in people with 22q11.2DS. We examined COMT allelic variation in relation to anxiety and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenomedullary (SAM) hormonal stress indicators in 30 children and adolescents with 22q11.2DS. Contrary to expectation, individuals with the higher activity COMTval allele had higher anxiety levels versus those with the low activity (COMTmet) allele (p = 0.021; Glass' Δ = 0.69). Anxiety was not correlated with salivary cortisol (CORT) or alpha-amylase (sAA) in either group. Groups did not differ in CORT levels (p = 0.58), but the COMTmet group had higher sAA (p = 0.026; Glass' Δ = 0.67, uncorrected) suggesting greater SAM reactivity but not HPA activity. This suggests that COMT allelic variation may contribute to differences in acute SAM but not slower HPA stress reactivity in those with 22q11.2DS.

An uncommon neuroradiological finding of hippocampal malrotation in childhood onset schizophrenia and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: a case report and a brief review of the literature.

Childhood Onset Schizophrenia is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder significantly associated with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. We describe a male patient, followed from childhood to adolescence, who exhibited premorbid impairments in language, learning and social abilities, along with comorbid anxiety disorders. Over time, he gradually developed Childhood Onset Schizophrenia, with neuroradiological findings of white matter hyperintensities, a dysmorphic corpus callosum and Hippocampal Malrotation. These findings were observed in the context of a genetic diagnosis of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, despite the absence of the most common congenital malformations and clinical conditions typically associated with this syndrome. A remarkable aspect of this case report is the emphasis on the importance of suspecting 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome even in cases where only the neuropsychiatric phenotype of Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia and structural brain alterations, is present. While abnormalities of white matter and corpus callosum are associated with schizophrenia in patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Hippocampal Malrotation is more frequently described in patients with epilepsy and prolonged febrile seizures. Recently, only 10 adult patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome have been reported to have Hippocampal Malrotation, six of whom were affected by schizophrenia, with or without epilepsy. Our case report aims to extend the neuroradiological findings associated with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Schizophrenia, including Hippocampal Malrotation. This is the first case report in which Hippocampal Malrotation has been described in Childhood Onset Schizophrenia and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. We suggest that patients with Hippocampal Malrotation and Childhood Onset Schizophrenia, should have a chromosomal microarray performed to screen for 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia with 22q11.2 deletion and additional genetic defects.

We report a case of a 61-year-old female with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and a novel heterozygous nonsense variant in MAP1A, identified through whole-genome sequencing (WGS). The patient presented with intellectual developmental disorder, treatment-resistant schizophrenia (SCZ), and multiple congenital anomalies. Despite aggressive pharmacotherapy, she experienced persistent auditory hallucinations and negative symptoms. WGS revealed a 3 Mb deletion at 22q11.2 and a nonsense variant in MAP1A (c.4652T>G, p.Leu1551*). MAP1A, encoding microtubule-associated protein 1A, is crucial for axon and dendrite development and has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder and SCZ. The MAP1A variant may contribute to the severe psychiatric phenotype, as it is thought to influence synaptic plasticity, a process also affected by 22q11.2 deletion. This case highlights the importance of WGS in identifying additional pathogenic variants that may explain phenotypic variability in 22q11.2DS. Thus, WGS can lead to a better understanding of the genetic architecture of 22q11.2DS. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of secondary genetic contributors in the diverse clinical presentations of 22q11.2DS.

The Co-Occurrence of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic disorder caused by the deletion of the q11.2 band of chromosome 22. It may affect various systems, including the cardiovascular, immunological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and neurocognitive systems. Additionally, several ocular manifestations have been described. RESULTS: We report a case of a 34-year-old female diagnosed with 22q11.2DS who presented with visual discomfort and foreign body sensation in both eyes. She had no history of recurrent ocular pain. A comprehensive ophthalmological examination was performed, including anterior segment optical coherence tomography and in vivo confocal microscopy. Overall, the exams revealed bilateral corneal map-like lines, dots, and fingerprint patterns, consistent with a diagnosis of epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD). In addition to presenting with this novel corneal manifestation for 22q11.2 DS, we review the ocular clinical features of 22q11.2DS in the context of our case. CONCLUSIONS: The EBMD may represent a new corneal manifestation associated with 22q11.2 syndrome, although the link between these conditions is unknown. Further research is warranted to investigate potentially shared genetic or molecular pathways to the understanding of the phenotypic variety observed among this rare syndrome.

Unique functional neuroimaging signatures of genetic versus clinical high risk for psychosis.

BACKGROUND: 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22qDel) is a copy number variant (CNV) associated with psychosis and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Adolescents at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) are identified based on the presence of subthreshold psychosis symptoms. Whether common neural substrates underlie these distinct high-risk populations is unknown. We compared functional brain measures in 22qDel and CHR cohorts and mapped results to biological pathways. METHODS: We analyzed two large multi-site cohorts with resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI): 1) 22qDel (n=164, 47% female) and typically developing (TD) controls (n=134, 56% female); 2) CHR individuals (n=244, 41% female) and TD controls (n=151, 46% female) from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study-2. We computed global brain connectivity (GBC), local connectivity (LC), and brain signal variability (BSV) across cortical regions, testing case-control differences for 22qDel and CHR separately. Group difference maps were related to published brain maps using autocorrelation-preserving permutation. RESULTS: BSV, LC, and GBC are significantly disrupted in 22qDel compared with TD controls (False Discovery Rate q<0.05). Spatial maps of BSV and LC differences are highly correlated with each other, unlike GBC. In CHR, only LC is significantly altered versus controls, with a different spatial pattern compared to 22qDel. Group differences map onto biological gradients, with 22qDel effects strongest in regions with high predicted blood flow and metabolism. CONCLUSION: 22qDel and CHR exhibit divergent effects on fMRI temporal variability and multi-scale functional connectivity. In 22qDel, strong and convergent disruptions in BSV and LC not seen in CHR individuals suggest distinct functional brain alterations.

Prenatal diagnosis and genetic study of 22q11.2 microduplication in Chinese fetuses: A series of 31 cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Patients with 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome exhibit a high degree of phenotypic heterogeneity and incomplete penetrance, making prenatal diagnosis challenging due to phenotypic variability. This report aims to raise awareness among prenatal diagnostic practitioners regarding the variant's complexity, providing a basis for prenatal genetic counseling. METHODS: Family and clinical data of 31 fetuses with 22q11.2 microduplications confirmed by chromosomal microarray between June 2017 and June 2023 were considered. RESULTS: Primary prenatal ultrasound features of affected fetuses include variable cardiac and cardiovascular anomalies, increased nuchal translucency (≥3 mm), renal abnormalities, and polyhydramnios. More than half of fetuses considered showed no intrauterine manifestations; therefore, prenatal diagnostic indicators were primarily advanced maternal age or high-risk Down syndrome screening. Most fetuses had microduplications in proximal or central 22q11.2 regions, with only three cases with distal microduplications. Among parents of fetuses considered, 87% (27/31) continued the pregnancy. During follow-up, 19 cases remained clinically asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Nonspecific 22q11.2 microduplication features in fetuses and its mild postnatal disease presentation highlight the need to cautiously approach prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy decision-making. Increased clinical efforts should be made regarding providing parents with specialized genetic counseling, long-term follow-up, and fetal risk information.

Comparison of the Accuracy in Provisional Diagnosis of 22q11.2 Deletion and Williams Syndromes by Facial Photos in Thai Population Between De-Identified Facial Program and Clinicians.

Introduction: There are more than 6000 genetic syndromes, therefore the recognition of facial patterns may present a challenge for clinicians. The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) and Williams syndrome (WS) are two different genetic syndromes but share some common phenotypic traits and subtle facial dysmorphisms. Therefore, any tool that would help clinicians recognize genetic syndromes would likely result in a more accurate diagnosis. Methods: The syndrome identification accuracy was compared between 2 different facial analysis algorithms (DeepGestalt and GestaltMatcher) of the Face2Gene (F2G) tool and a group of 9 clinicians with different levels of expertise before and after using F2G for a cohort of 64 Thai participants' frontal facial photos divided into 3 groups of 22q11.2 DS, WS and unaffected controls. Results: The higher accuracy from the DeepGestalt algorithm than from clinicians was demonstrated, especially when comparing between the two syndromes. The accuracy was highest when clinicians use the tool combined with their own decision-making process. The tool's second algorithm, GestaltMatcher revealed clear separation among these three groups of photos. Discussion: The result of F2G outperforming clinicians was not surprising. However, the highest increase in accuracy was with nondysmorphology clinicians using F2G. Conclusion: Face2Gene would be a useful tool to help clinicians in facial recognition of genetic syndromes, before ordering specific tests to confirm the definite diagnosis.

Extent of magnitude representation deficit and relationship with arithmetic skills in children with 22q11.2DS.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have produced conflicting results concerning the extent of magnitude representation deficit and its relationship with arithmetic achievement in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. More specifically, it remains unclear whether deficits are restricted to visuospatial content or are more general and whether they could explain arithmetical impairment. METHODS: Fifteen 5- to 12-year-old children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 23 age-matched healthy controls performed a non-symbolic magnitude comparison task. Depending on the trial, participants had to compare stimuli with high or low visuospatial load (visuospatial stimuli or temporal sequence of visual stimuli). The participants also completed a battery of arithmetic skills (ZAREKI-R) and a battery of global cognitive functioning (WISC-V or WPPSI-IV), from which working memory and visuospatial indices were derived. RESULTS: Children with 22q11.2DS responded as fast as healthy controls did but received fewer correct responses, irrespective of visuospatial load. In addition, their performance in the non-symbolic magnitude comparison task did not correlate with the ZAREKI total score, while the working memory index did. CONCLUSION: Children with 22q11.2DS might suffer from a global magnitude representation deficit rather than a specific deficit due to visuospatial load. However, this deficit alone does not seem to be related to arithmetic achievement. Working memory might be a better concern of interest in favoring arithmetic skills in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials, NCT04373226 . Registered 16 September 2020.

Comprehensive insights into health services accessibility and quality of life of families with individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2 DS) presents unique healthcare challenges for affected individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Despite its rarity, 22q11.2 DS is the most common microdeletion syndrome in humans, emphasizing the need to understand and address the distinctive healthcare requirements of those affected. This paper examines the multifaceted issue of health service access and caregivers' quality of life in the context of 22q11.2 DS in Brazil, a condition with diverse signs and symptoms requiring multidisciplinary care. This study employs a comprehensive approach to evaluate health service accessibility and the quality of life of caregivers of individuals with 22q11.2 DS. It utilizes a structured Survey and the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire for data collection. RESULTS: Individuals with 22q11.2 DS continue to receive incomplete clinical management after obtaining the diagnosis, even in the face of socioeconomic status that enabled an average age of diagnosis that precedes that found in sample groups that are more representative of the Brazilian population (mean of 3.2 years versus 10 years, respectively). In turn, caring for individuals with 22q11.2 DS who face difficulty accessing health services impacts the quality of life associated with the caregivers' environment of residence. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained help bridge the research gap in understanding how caring for individuals with multisystem clinical conditions such as 22q11.2 DS and difficulties in accessing health are intertwined with aspects of quality of life in Brazil. This research paves the way for more inclusive healthcare policies and interventions to enhance the quality of life for families affected by this syndrome.

The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome from A Biopsychosocial Perspective: A Series of Cases with an ICF-Based Approach.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS) can have a significant impact on functionality. The purpose was to describe 22q11.2DS children with functioning from a biopsychosocial perspective, focusing on the impact of children's health condition from domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional case series study with seven 22q11.2DS children. A questionnaire with an ICF checklist for 22q11.2DS was completed using a structured interview. The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) was used to determine the Intelligence Quotient (IQ). RESULTS: Seven participants from 7 to 12 years old, presented some level of IQ impairment. It was observed that 22q11.2DS children experience significant intellectual, cognitive, and speech impairments across ICF Body Function domains. Impairments related to nose and pharynx were found in only one patient. The most relevant categories considered limitations in the Activity and Participation components pertained to producing nonverbal messages, communication, handling stress, and social interaction. Family, health professionals, and acquaintances were perceived as facilitators in the component Environmental Factors. CONCLUSION: The sample has its functioning affected by aspects that go beyond impairments in body structure and function. The organization of information from the perspective of the ICF is a different approach that helps clinical reasoning.

Multidisciplinary Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Evaluation Helps Detect Non-classic Cases of 22q11.2 Deletion.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of multidisciplinary velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) assessment in diagnosing 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q) in children. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary VPD clinic at a tertiary pediatric hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five children with genetically confirmed 22q evaluated at the VPD clinic between February 2007 and February 2023, including both previously diagnosed patients and those newly diagnosed as a result of VPD evaluation. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive review of medical records, utilizing ICD-10 codes and an institutional tool for keyword searches, to identify patients and collect data on clinical variables and outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of children with 22q, pathways to diagnosis, and clinical presentations that led to genetic testing for 22q. RESULTS: Of the 75 children, 9 were newly diagnosed with 22q following VPD evaluation. Non-cleft VPI was a significant indicator for 22q in children not previously diagnosed, occurring in 100% of newly diagnosed cases compared to 52% of cases with existing 22q diagnosis (P = .008). Additional clinical findings leading to diagnosis included congenital heart disease, craniofacial abnormalities, and developmental delays. CONCLUSIONS: VPD evaluations, particularly the presence of non-cleft VPI, play a crucial role in identifying undiagnosed cases of 22q. This underscores the need for clinicians, including plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and speech-language pathologists, to maintain a high degree of suspicion for 22q in children presenting with VPI without a clear etiology. Multidisciplinary approaches are essential for early diagnosis and management of this complex condition.

DiGeorge Syndrome Diagnosed at Age 38: Challenges in Low-resource Settings and Implications of a Missed Diagnosis.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22.q11.2 DS) is a genetic syndrome resulting from a microdeletion on chromosome 22. It has a diverse array of manifestations, and most cases are diagnosed early in childhood. We present the case of a 38-year-old female born in a developing country who presented to our clinic to establish care for a history of primary hypothyroidism. She was clinically and biochemically euthyroid on thyroid supplementation. She was also noted to have hypocalcemia in the setting of low PTH, for which the patient was previously prescribed calcitriol. Given a history of cleft palate, abnormal facial features, mild recurrent sinopulmonary infections, and her endocrine history (including short stature with height in the 6th percentile), genetic testing was obtained. She was diagnosed with a heterozygous whole gene deletion of the TBX1 gene. Additional genetic evaluation demonstrated a 2.6-Mb microdeleted segment of the 22a11.2 region encompassing 62 genes. The patient was referred to cardiology for evaluation of cardiac involvement given a history of tachyarrhythmia. This case highlights challenges in diagnosis and the implications of a delayed diagnosis of 22.q11.2 DS.