Congenital hearing loss: a literature review of the genetic etiology in a Mexican population.

Hearing loss is the most frequent sensory disorder, with an incidence of 1:1500 live newborns. In more than 50% of patients, it is associated with a genetic cause, while in up to 30% of cases, it is related to syndromic entities. We performed a literature review of studies on congenital hearing loss of genetic origin in the Mexican population. We identified eight reports that showed that the pathogenic variants most frequently associated with hearing loss are related to the GJB2 gene, although in a low percentage (3%). Other mutations were identified in the GJB6, SLC26A4, or CHD23 genes. On this basis, a possible diagnostic strategy in Mexican patients with hearing loss is to consider an initial screening of these three genes. If these genes were negative for pathogenic variants, the following steps would be to consider second-generation sequencing analysis focused on panels of genes associated with hearing loss, isolated or syndromic, and if necessary, to perform exome or whole-genome analysis. Establishing an etiologic cause is critical in clinically evaluating patients with congenital hearing loss and their families. It can help determine rehabilitation strategies, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants and provide information on disease progression and genetic counseling in this population.

La pérdida auditiva es la alteración sensorial más frecuente, con una incidencia de 1:1500 recién nacidos vivos. En más del 50% de los pacientes se asocia con una causa genética, mientras que en más del 30% de los casos se asocia con entidades sindrómicas. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura de las investigaciones sobre la pérdida auditiva congénita de origen genético en la población mexicana. Se identificaron ocho reportes en los que se demostró que las variantes patogénicas más frecuentemente asociadas con pérdida auditiva se encuentran en el gen GJB2, aunque en un porcentaje bajo (3%). Se identificaron otras mutaciones en los genes GJB6, SLC26A4 o CHD23. Con base en esta información, una posible estrategia diagnóstica en pacientes mexicanos con pérdida auditiva es considerar un primer paso en el tamiz diagnóstico con los tres genes mencionados. Si estos genes fueran negativos para variantes patogénicas, el siguiente paso sería considerar el análisis por secuenciación de segunda generación enfocado en paneles de genes asociados con pérdida auditiva, tanto aislada como sindrómica, y en caso necesario, realizar el análisis del exoma o del genoma completo. Establecer una causa etiológica es un componente crítico en la evaluación clínica de los pacientes con pérdida auditiva congénita, ya que puede ayudar a determinar las estrategias de manejo y rehabilitación, como el uso de auxiliares auditivos o implantes cocleares, proporcionar información sobre la progresión de la enfermedad y dar asesoramiento genético en esta población.

Congenital hearing loss: a literature review of the genetic etiology in a Mexican population / Pérdida auditiva congénita: revisión de la etiología genética en la población mexicana

Abstract Hearing loss is the most frequent sensory disorder, with an incidence of 1:1500 live newborns. In more than 50% of patients, it is associated with a genetic cause, while in up to 30% of cases, it is related to syndromic entities. We performed a literature review of studies on congenital hearing loss of genetic origin in the Mexican population. We identified eight reports that showed that the pathogenic variants most frequently associated with hearing loss are related to the GJB2 gene, although in a low percentage (3%). Other mutations were identified in the GJB6, SLC26A4, or CHD23 genes. On this basis, a possible diagnostic strategy in Mexican patients with hearing loss is to consider an initial screening of these three genes. If these genes were negative for pathogenic variants, the following steps would be to consider second-generation sequencing analysis focused on panels of genes associated with hearing loss, isolated or syndromic, and if necessary, to perform exome or whole-genome analysis. Establishing an etiologic cause is critical in clinically evaluating patients with congenital hearing loss and their families. It can help determine rehabilitation strategies, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants and provide information on disease progression and genetic counseling in this population.

Resumen La pérdida auditiva es la alteración sensorial más frecuente, con una incidencia de 1:1500 recién nacidos vivos. En más del 50% de los pacientes se asocia con una causa genética, mientras que en más del 30% de los casos se asocia con entidades sindrómicas. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura de las investigaciones sobre la pérdida auditiva congénita de origen genético en la población mexicana. Se identificaron ocho reportes en los que se demostró que las variantes patogénicas más frecuentemente asociadas con pérdida auditiva se encuentran en el gen GJB2, aunque en un porcentaje bajo (3%). Se identificaron otras mutaciones en los genes GJB6, SLC26A4 o CHD23. Con base en esta información, una posible estrategia diagnóstica en pacientes mexicanos con pérdida auditiva es considerar un primer paso en el tamiz diagnóstico con los tres genes mencionados. Si estos genes fueran negativos para variantes patogénicas, el siguiente paso sería considerar el análisis por secuenciación de segunda generación enfocado en paneles de genes asociados con pérdida auditiva, tanto aislada como sindrómica, y en caso necesario, realizar el análisis del exoma o del genoma completo. Establecer una causa etiológica es un componente crítico en la evaluación clínica de los pacientes con pérdida auditiva congénita, ya que puede ayudar a determinar las estrategias de manejo y rehabilitación, como el uso de auxiliares auditivos o implantes cocleares, proporcionar información sobre la progresión de la enfermedad y dar asesoramiento genético en esta población.

Displasia ectodérmica hipohidrótica ligada al cromosoma X de novo por variante recurrente en un paciente mexicano / X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia by a de novo recurrent variant in a Mexican patient

Resumen Introducción: Las displasias ectodérmicas son un grupo de genodermatosis que se caracterizan por distrofia de las estructuras derivadas del ectodermo. De ellas, la variedad más común es la hipohidrótica, con una incidencia de 7/100,000 nacidos vivos observada en todos los grupos étnicos. La displasia ectodérmica hipohidrótica tiene distintas etiologías. La presentación más frecuente es la asociada a un patrón de herencia ligado al cromosoma X, causada por variantes patogénicas del gen EDA en Xq13.1. EDA codifica a la ectodisplasina A, una molécula de señalización que participa en la comunicación epitelio-mesénquima durante el desarrollo de la piel y los anexos. Caso clínico: Varón de 6 años con las características clínicas cardinales de la displasia ectodérmica hipohidrótica ligada al cromosoma X (DEHLX), que incluyen hipotricosis, oligodoncia e hipohidrosis. El análisis del gen EDA por secuenciación directa mostró la presencia de la variante patogénica c.466C>T, p.Arg156Cys, rs132630313 con presentación de novo en el paciente. Esta variante ya ha sido reportada en diferentes poblaciones, incluyendo familias mexicanas, y constituye un punto caliente para mutación en EDA. Se analizaron los hallazgos clínicos, la etiología y el manejo de la DEHLX, en la que de manera reciente se ha planteado la posibilidad de otorgar tratamiento prenatal para prevenir sus manifestaciones clínicas. Conclusiones: Se pone de relevancia que el análisis molecular en pacientes con DEHLX corrobora el diagnóstico clínico y permite brindar asesoramiento genético con bases moleculares.

Abstract Background: Ectodermal dysplasias are a group of genodermatoses characterized by dystrophy of ectodermal derived structures. The most frequent presentation of the ectodermal dysplasias is the hypohidrotic type, which has an incidence of 7/100,000 newborns and has been described in all ethnic groups. The hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) has different etiologies, and it is more frequently associated with an X-linked pattern of inheritance caused by pathogenic variants of the EDA gene in Xq13.1. EDA encodes the protein ectodisplasin A, a signal molecule which participates in epithelium and mesenchymal development of the skin. Case report: A 6 year-old male patient with the main clinical characteristics of the X-linked HED including hypotrichosis, hypodontia and hypohidrosis. The direct sequencing analysis of EDA in our patient detected a de novo pathogenic variant, c.466C>T, p.Arg156Cys, rs132630313. This variant has been previously described in different ethnic groups, including Mexican families, and is considered a mutational hotspot. The clinical characteristics, etiology and management of the X-linked HED, including the possibility of prenatal therapy in order to avoid the clinical manifestations are discussed. Conclusions: The molecular analysis in patients with X-linked HED is of relevance, as it enables to confirm the clinical diagnosis and also, it allows a genetic assessment with molecular bases.

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia by a de novo recurrent variant in a Mexican patient.

Background: Ectodermal dysplasias are a group of genodermatoses characterized by dystrophy of ectodermal derived structures. The most frequent presentation of the ectodermal dysplasias is the hypohidrotic type, which has an incidence of 7/100,000 newborns and has been described in all ethnic groups. The hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) has different etiologies, and it is more frequently associated with an X-linked pattern of inheritance caused by pathogenic variants of the EDA gene in Xq13.1. EDA encodes the protein ectodisplasin A, a signal molecule which participates in epithelium and mesenchymal development of the skin. Case report: A 6 year-old male patient with the main clinical characteristics of the X-linked HED including hypotrichosis, hypodontia and hypohidrosis. The direct sequencing analysis of EDA in our patient detected a de novo pathogenic variant, c.466C>T, p.Arg156Cys, rs132630313. This variant has been previously described in different ethnic groups, including Mexican families, and is considered a mutational hotspot. The clinical characteristics, etiology and management of the X-linked HED, including the possibility of prenatal therapy in order to avoid the clinical manifestations are discussed. Conclusions: The molecular analysis in patients with X-linked HED is of relevance, as it enables to confirm the clinical diagnosis and also, it allows a genetic assessment with molecular bases.

Introducción: Las displasias ectodérmicas son un grupo de genodermatosis que se caracterizan por distrofia de las estructuras derivadas del ectodermo. De ellas, la variedad más común es la hipohidrótica, con una incidencia de 7/100,000 nacidos vivos observada en todos los grupos étnicos. La displasia ectodérmica hipohidrótica tiene distintas etiologías. La presentación más frecuente es la asociada a un patrón de herencia ligado al cromosoma X, causada por variantes patogénicas del gen EDA en Xq13.1. EDA codifica a la ectodisplasina A, una molécula de señalización que participa en la comunicación epitelio-mesénquima durante el desarrollo de la piel y los anexos. Caso clínico: Varón de 6 años con las características clínicas cardinales de la displasia ectodérmica hipohidrótica ligada al cromosoma X (DEHLX), que incluyen hipotricosis, oligodoncia e hipohidrosis. El análisis del gen EDA por secuenciación directa mostró la presencia de la variante patogénica c.466C>T, p.Arg156Cys, rs132630313 con presentación de novo en el paciente. Esta variante ya ha sido reportada en diferentes poblaciones, incluyendo familias mexicanas, y constituye un punto caliente para mutación en EDA. Se analizaron los hallazgos clínicos, la etiología y el manejo de la DEHLX, en la que de manera reciente se ha planteado la posibilidad de otorgar tratamiento prenatal para prevenir sus manifestaciones clínicas. Conclusiones: Se pone de relevancia que el análisis molecular en pacientes con DEHLX corrobora el diagnóstico clínico y permite brindar asesoramiento genético con bases moleculares.

Out-of-pocket expenditures and care time for children with Down Syndrome: A single-hospital study in Mexico City.

AIM: To examine the burden of out-of-pocket household expenditures and time spent on care by families responsible for children with Down Syndrome (DS). METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed after surveying families of children with DS. The children all received medical care at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gomez (HIMFG), a National Institute of Health. Data were collected on out-of-pocket household expenditures for the medical care of these children. The percentage of such expenditure was calculated in relation to available household expenditure (after subtracting the cost of food/housing), and the percentage of households with catastrophic expenditure. Finally, the time spent on the care of the child was assessed. RESULTS: The socioeconomic analysis showed that 67% of the households with children with DS who received medical care in the HIMFG were within the lower four deciles (I-IV) of expenses, indicating a limited ability to pay for medical services. Yearly out-of-pocket expenditures for a child with DS represented 27% of the available household expenditure, which is equivalent to $464 for the United States dollars (USD). On average, 33% of families with DS children had catastrophic expenses, and 46% of the families had to borrow money to pay for medical expenses. The percentage of catastrophic expenditure was greater for a household with children aged five or older compared with households with younger children. The regression analysis revealed that the age of the child is the most significant factor determining the time spent on care. CONCLUSIONS: Some Mexican families of children with DS incur substantial out-of-pocket expenditures, which constitute an economic burden for families of children who received medical care at the HIMFG.

Monosomía 9p24 secundaria a translocación (2; 9) en dos pacientes no relacionadas / Monosomy 9p24 in two non-related patients as result of a translocation (2; 9)

En pacientes con malformaciones congénitas y retraso del desarrollo psicomotor, deben descartarse cromosomopatías. Las más frecuentes son las translocaciones recíprocas balanceadas, presentes en 1:500 recién nacidos vivos. Por lo general, los portadores tienen fenotipo normal, aunque, ocasionalmente, presentan infertilidad, abortos o hijos con malformaciones. La translocación balanceada entre los cromosomas 2 y 9 puede originar descendencia con monosomías y trisomías de estos cromosomas. La monosomía del brazo corto del cromosoma 9 puede presentarse con trigonocefalia, dismorfias faciales, anomalías genitales y retraso del desarrollo psicomotor. En este trabajo, se revisaron las alteraciones de los cromosomas 2 y/o 9 en los cariotipos realizados en nuestra Institución en 2005-2014. Se presentan dos pacientes con monosomía 9p asociada a translocación (2;9). Las pacientes comparten datos de monosomía 9p24-pter; la correlación genotipo-fenotipo es compleja por el tamaño de los segmentos involucrados. Se resalta la importancia del diagnóstico cromosómico para el asesoramiento genético.

In patients with malformations and delayed psychomotor development it is important to discard chromosomopathies. Balanced reciprocal translocations are the most frequent chromosomopathies present in 1:500 live newborns. In general, carriers have normal phenotype, but they may have infertility, abortions or children with congenital malformations. The reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 2 and 9 can lead to offspring with monosomies and trisomies of these chromosomes. Short arm monosomy of chromosome 9 may present delayed psychomotor development, trigonocephaly, facial dysmorphia and genital abnormalities. We reviewed GTG karyotype records from our Institution to identify cases with chromosomes 2 and/or 9 alterations from 2005 to 2014. We describe two cases with monosomy 9p secondary to a translocation between chromosomes 2 and 9. The patients share features of monosomy 9p24-pter, however the genotype-phenotype correlation is complex due to the extension of the involved segments. We emphasize the importance of chromosomal diagnosis to offer genetic assessment.

Monosomy 9p24 in two non-related patients as result of a translocation (2;9). / Monosomía 9p24 secundaria a translocación (2;9) en dos pacientes no relacionadas.

In patients with malformations and delayed psychomotor development it is important to discard chromosomopathies. Balanced reciprocal translocations are the most frequent chromosomopathies present in 1:500 live newborns. In general, carriers have normal phenotype, but they may have infertility, abortions or children with congenital malformations. The reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 2 and 9 can lead to offspring with monosomies and trisomies of these chromosomes. Short arm monosomy of chromosome 9 may present delayed psychomotor development, trigonocephaly, facial dysmorphia and genital abnormalities. We reviewed GTG karyotype records from our Institution to identify cases with chromosomes 2 and/or 9 alterations from 2005 to 2014. We describe two cases with monosomy 9p secondary to a translocation between chromosomes 2 and 9. The patients share features of monosomy 9p24-pter, however the genotypephenotype correlation is complex due to the extension of the involved segments. We emphasize the importance of chromosomal diagnosis to offer genetic assessment.

En pacientes con malformaciones congénitas y retraso del desarrollo psicomotor, deben descartarse cromosomopatías. Las más frecuentes son las translocaciones recíprocas balanceadas, presentes en 1:500 recién nacidos vivos. Por lo general, los portadores tienen fenotipo normal, aunque, ocasionalmente, presentan infertilidad, abortos o hijos con malformaciones. La translocación balanceada entre los cromosomas 2 y 9 puede originar descendencia con monosomías y trisomías de estos cromosomas. La monosomía del brazo corto del cromosoma 9 puede presentarse con trigonocefalia, dismorfias faciales, anomalías genitales y retraso del desarrollo psicomotor. En este trabajo, se revisaron las alteraciones de los cromosomas 2 y/o 9 en los cariotipos realizados en nuestra Institución en 2005-2014. Se presentan dos pacientes con monosomía 9p asociada a translocación (2;9). Las pacientes comparten datos de monosomía 9p24-pter; la correlación genotipo-fenotipo es compleja por el tamaño de los segmentos involucrados. Se resalta la importancia del diagnóstico cromosómico para el asesoramiento genético.

Síndrome de Pallister-Killian en una paciente mestiza mexicana: Reporte de caso / Paüister-KiUian syndrome in a Mexican mestizo patient: Case report

El síndrome de Pallister-Killian es una entidad poco frecuente causada por tetrasomía 12p en mosaico. Presenta facies tosca, alopecia frontotemporal, frente prominente, fisuras palpebrales oblicuas ascendentes, hipertelorismo ocular, ptosis palpebral, estrabismo, epicanto, puente nasal ancho, nariz corta, narinas antevertidas, filtrum largo, labio superior delgado e inferior prominente, pabellones auriculares con lóbulos gruesos y protruidos, cuello corto, pezones supernumerarios, manos anchas, braquidactilia, alteraciones en la pigmentación de la piel, cardiopatía congénita, discapacidad intelectual y crisis convulsivas. Su diagnóstico es complejo, ya que, en sangre periférica, el cariotipo suele ser normal. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mestiza mexicana de 4 años de edad con retraso en el desarrollo psicomotor y características fenotípicas que correspondieron a síndrome de Pallister-Killian. El cariotipo en fibroblastos de la biopsia de piel demostró mos47,XX,i(12)(p10)--#91;85--#93;/46,XX--#91;21--#93;. Un equipo multidisciplinario realiza el seguimiento con controles regulares por los departamentos de Neurología, Pediatría General y Genética Médica.

Pallister-Killian syndrome is caused by a tetrasomy 12p mosaicism and is characterized by facial dysmorphism, pigmentary skin anomalies, congenital heart defects, diaphragmatic hernia, epilepsy and mental retardation. The diagnosis is complex as the cytogenetic analysis in blood is usually normal, requiring karyotyping in other tissues, therefore the clinical suspicion is critical to guide the diagnostic tests and the patient requires an interdisciplinary clinical evaluation regarding the several manifestation of the syndrome. W e present the case of a Mexican mestizo female patient of 4 years of age referred by psychomotor delay and cleft palate; the clinical multidisciplinary evaluation demonstrated characteristics corresponding to the Pallister-Killian syndrome. The GTG banding karyotype analysis was normal, the skin fibroblast was mos47,XX,i(12)(p10)--#91;85--#93;/46,XX--#91;21--#93;. This case is an example of the importance of the clinical evaluation in order to establish a diagnosis that is a challenge for the clinical multidisciplinary team to offer medical management and genetic counseling.

[Pallister-Killian syndrome in a Mexican mestizo patient. Case report]. / Síndrome de Pallister-Killian en una paciente mestiza mexicana. Reporte de caso.

Pallister-Killian syndrome is caused by a tetrasomy 12p mosaicism and is characterized by facial dysmorphism, pigmentary skin anomalies, congenital heart defects, diaphragmatic hernia, epilepsy and mental retardation. The diagnosis is complex as the cytogenetic analysis in blood is usually normal, requiring karyotyping in other tissues, therefore the clinical suspicion is critical to guide the diagnostic tests and the patient requires an interdisciplinary clinical evaluation regarding the several manifestation of the syndrome. W e present the case of a Mexican mestizo female patient of 4 years of age referred by psychomotor delay and cleft palate; the clinical multidisciplinary evaluation demonstrated characteristics corresponding to the Pallister-Killian syndrome. The GTG banding karyotype analysis was normal, the skin fibroblast was mos47,XX,i(12)(p10)[85]/46,XX[21]. This case is an example of the importance of the clinical evaluation in order to establish a diagnosis that is a challenge for the clinical multidisciplinary team to offer medical management and genetic counseling.

El síndrome de Pallister-Killian es una entidad poco frecuente causada por tetrasomía 12p en mosaico. Presenta facies tosca, alopecia frontotemporal, frente prominente, fisuras palpebrales oblicuas ascendentes, hipertelorismo ocular, ptosis palpebral, estrabismo, epicanto, puente nasal ancho, nariz corta, narinas antevertidas, filtrum largo, labio superior delgado e inferior prominente, pabellones auriculares con lóbulos gruesos y protruidos, cuello corto, pezones supernumerarios, manos anchas, braquidactilia, alteraciones en la pigmentación de la piel, cardiopatía congénita, discapacidad intelectual y crisis convulsivas. Su diagnóstico es complejo, ya que, en sangre periférica, el cariotipo suele ser normal. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mestiza mexicana de 4 años de edad con retraso en el desarrollo psicomotor y características fenotípicas que correspondieron a síndrome de Pallister-Killian. El cariotipo en fibroblastos de la biopsia de piel demostró mos47,XX,i(12)(p10)[85]/46,XX[21]. Un equipo multidisciplinario realiza el seguimiento con controles regulares por los departamentos de Neurología, Pediatría General y Genética Médica.

Craniosynostosis, delayed closure of the fontanelle, anal, genitourinary, and skin abnormalities (CDAGS syndrome): first report in a Mexican patient and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Craniosynostosis and clavicular hypoplasia, delayed closure of the fontanelle, cranial defects, anal and genitourinary abnormalities, and skin (CDAGS), is an infrequent autosomal recessive entity with only 10 cases reported; no associated gene has been identified so far. CASE REPORT: The proband is a 2-year-old Mexican female with brachycephaly, cleft palate, anal malformation with rectovestibular fistula, and clinodactyly of the third toe overlapping the second. At 4 months of age, she developed a disseminated dermatosis with erythematous scaly nummular plaques, elevated keratotic sharp borders with thin to broad flaking, hematic crusts, and keratotic surface in others. The lesions were slightly pruritic and began at the lower limbs with posterior dissemination to the upper limbs, head, and trunk; palms and soles were unaffected. A skin biopsy showed hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis, and perivascular inflammatory infiltration in the upper reticular dermis among other alterations. She also presented mild bilateral neurosensory hypoacusia and enamel dysplasia. Her karyotype was normal. Treatment with topical hydrating creams partially improved the skin lesions at their center, while the sharply keratotic borders remained, giving a clinical resemblance to porokeratosis. DISCUSSION: The patient suffers from CDAGS syndrome but has normal development, and feet abnormality was described in only one other patient. The treatment with topical hydrating creams improved the skin lesions at their center, while porokeratotic characteristics persisted. CDAGS remains a diagnostic challenge; a comparison with previously reported cases is discussed. The timely detection of the syndrome will allow early treatment that may improve the condition of the patients.

Trisomy 1q41-qter and monosomy 3p26.3-pter in a family with a translocation (1;3): further delineation of the syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 1q and monosomy 3p deriving from a t(1;3) is an infrequent event. The clinical characteristics of trisomy 1q41-qter have been described but there is not a delineation of the syndrome. The 3p25.3-pter monosomy syndrome (MIM 613792) characteristics include low birth weight, microcephaly, psychomotor and growth retardation and abnormal facies. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2 years 8 months Mexican mestizo male patient was evaluated due to a trisomy 1q and monosomy 3p derived from a familial t(1;3)(q41;q26.3). Four female carriers of the balanced translocation and one relative that may have been similarly affected as the proband were identified. The implicated chromosomal regions were defined by microarray analysis, the patient had a trisomy 1q41-qter of 30.3 Mb in extension comprising about 240 protein coding genes and a monosomy 3p26.3-pter of 1.7 Mb including only the genes CNTN6 (MIM 607220) and CHL1 (MIM 607416), which have been implicated in dendrite development. Their contribution to the phenotype, regarding the definition of trisomy 1q41-qter and monosomy 3p26.3-pter syndromes are discussed. CONCLUSION: We propose that a trisomy 1q41-qter syndrome should be considered in particular when the following characteristics are present: postnatal growth delay, macrocephaly, wide fontanelle, triangular facies, frontal bossing, thick eye brows, down slanting palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, flat nasal bridge, hypoplasic nostrils, long filtrum, high palate, microretrognathia, ear abnormalities, neural abnormalities (in particular ventricular dilatation), psychomotor developmental delay and mental retardation. Our patient showed most of these clinical characteristics with exception of macrocephaly, possibly due to a compensatory effect by haploinsufficiency of the two genes lost from 3p. The identification of carriers has important implications for genetic counseling as the risk of a new born with either a der(3) or der(1) resulting from an adjacent-1 segregation is of 25% for each of them, as the products of adjacent-2 or 3:1 segregations are not expected to be viable.

Genetic structure of three Native Mexican communities based on mtDNA haplogroups, and ABO and Rh blood group systems.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this population genetics study were to describe mtDNA haplogroups and ABO and Rh blood group systems of 3 Native Mexican populations, to determine their genetic variability, and to compare their haplogroups with those of 13 Native Mexican populations previously reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The three communities under analysis were a Tepehua-speaking community from Huehuetla (Hidalgo state), an Otomi-speaking community from San Antonio el Grande (Hidalgo state), and a Zapotec-speaking community from Juchitán (Oaxaca state). Every subject studied in each community had four grandparents who were born in the same community and spoke the same language. The four Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups (A, B, C and D) were studied by restriction analysis and gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Regarding the blood groups, the O group was the most frequent in the three populations (97.2, 94.7, and 86.2%, respectively), as well as the Rh+ group (100, 100, 84%). The three populations analyzed were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In respect to the mtDNA haplogroups, A, B, C and D, their percentage was 33.3, 36.1, 13.9 and 5.6 % in Huehuetla; 39.5, 13.2, 39.5 and 2.6 % in San Antonio el Grande, and 55.3, 21.0, 7.9 and 5.2 % in Juchitán. Between 5 and 11% of the haplogroups were of non-Amerindian origin, probably due to admixture with Caucasian and African populations, as has been reported in the past. No statistically-significant differences were found among the three populations studied or between them and 13 previously reported Native Mexican populations.

Trascendencia de los factores ambientales y genéticos en cardiopatías congénitas: el caso de la enzima MTHFR / Significance of enviromental and genetic factors related to congenital heart diseases: MTHFR enzyme case

Las cardiopatías congénitas (CC) en México son la tercera causa de muerte en niños menores de un año y la sexta en niños de tres años de edad. En su etiología las CC presentan una heterogeneidad genética, y en su mayoría son de herencia multifactorial. Se considera que las CC y los defectos de tubo neural (DTN) son las entidades más comunes de origen multifactorial. Se ha reconocido que la pobre ingesta de ácido fólico es uno de los factores ambientales que se relacionan con los DTN, así como la presencia del polimorfismo C677T de la enzima metiltetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR), lo que lleva a un aumento de la homocisteína en sangre. Dada la relación entre algunos procesos de desarrollo cardiaco y del tubo neural, se cree que la enzima MTHRF puede participar en la génesis de las CC. Al respecto, se han realizado estudios acerca de cómo la ingesta de multivitamínicos, disminuyen el riesgo de CC en 24% de los casos, asociada con polimorfismo C677T de la MTHFR en pacientes con CC y aumento de homocisteína en líquido amniótico y plasma en madres de los pacientes con CC. Estudios en biología experimental sustentan que el aumento en los niveles de homocisteína tiene un efecto teratógeno que provoca DTN y CC, entre otras malformaciones. El presente artículo revisa la información acerca de la posible relación entre el polimorfismo C677T, la homocisteína y el desarrollo de CC y plantea la posible prevención de las CC a través del control de la ingesta de ácido fólico.

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) represent the third and sixth cause of death for children of less than a year and three years old respectively in Mexico. There is a very high degree of heterogeneity for CHD, having most of them multifactorial inheritance. CHD and neural tube defects (NTD) are the most common entities with this type of inheritance. It has been recognized that poor folic acid intake and the presence of C677Tpolymorphism on the MTHFR gene are both important environmental and genetic factors related to NTD development, through the rise of circulating blood homocysteine levels. Based on the close embryonic relationship at some processes between cardiac and neural tube development, it is thought that MTHFR enzyme could be actively involved on CHD development. Furthermore, different studies have demonstrated that there is a 24% risk reduction for CHD development when multivitamin intake schedule is followed even on the presence of C677T MTHFR polymorphism. At the same time, rises on homocysteine concentrations in mothers of patients affected by CHD, have been noticed in amniotic fluid as well as maternal plasma. Experimental Biology studies show that rises on homocysteine levels have a teratogenic effect producing NTD, CHD and some other malformative events. This paper, review how information regarding the possible relation between C677T MTHFR polymorphism, homocysteine levels and CHD development, in an attempt to establish possible preventive measures for CC through folic acid intake.