Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.

BACKGROUND: No explanation for moderate to severe mental retardation is apparent in about 40% of cases. Although small chromosomal rearrangements may account for some undiagnosed cases, a lack of genome-wide screening methods has made it impossible to ascertain the frequency of such abnormalities. M...

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Main Authors: Knight, S, Regan, R, Nicod, A, Horsley, S, Kearney, L, Homfray, T, Winter, R, Bolton, P, Flint, J
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 1999
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author Knight, S
Regan, R
Nicod, A
Horsley, S
Kearney, L
Homfray, T
Winter, R
Bolton, P
Flint, J
author_facet Knight, S
Regan, R
Nicod, A
Horsley, S
Kearney, L
Homfray, T
Winter, R
Bolton, P
Flint, J
author_sort Knight, S
collection OXFORD
description BACKGROUND: No explanation for moderate to severe mental retardation is apparent in about 40% of cases. Although small chromosomal rearrangements may account for some undiagnosed cases, a lack of genome-wide screening methods has made it impossible to ascertain the frequency of such abnormalities. METHODS: A fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) test was used to examine the integrity of chromosome ends in 284 children with unexplained moderate to severe retardation, and in 182 children with unexplained mild retardation. 75 normal men were also tested. When a chromosomal rearrangement was found, its size was estimated, and members of the child's family were investigated. FINDINGS: Subtle chromosomal abnormalities occurred with a frequency of 7.4% in the children with moderate to severe mental retardation, and of 0.5% in the children with mild retardation. The abnormalities had an estimated population prevalence of 2.1 per 10,000, and were familial in almost half of cases. INTERPRETATION: Once recognisable syndromes have been excluded, abnormalities that include the ends of chromosomes are the commonest cause of mental retardation in children with undiagnosed moderate to severe mental retardation. Owing to the high prevalence of familial cases, screening for subtle chromosomal rearrangements is warranted in children with unexplained moderate to severe mental retardation.
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spelling oxford-uuid:bfb2e4cf-0b72-4724-bf92-0832c445358d2022-03-27T05:49:22ZSubtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:bfb2e4cf-0b72-4724-bf92-0832c445358dEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford1999Knight, SRegan, RNicod, AHorsley, SKearney, LHomfray, TWinter, RBolton, PFlint, JBACKGROUND: No explanation for moderate to severe mental retardation is apparent in about 40% of cases. Although small chromosomal rearrangements may account for some undiagnosed cases, a lack of genome-wide screening methods has made it impossible to ascertain the frequency of such abnormalities. METHODS: A fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) test was used to examine the integrity of chromosome ends in 284 children with unexplained moderate to severe retardation, and in 182 children with unexplained mild retardation. 75 normal men were also tested. When a chromosomal rearrangement was found, its size was estimated, and members of the child's family were investigated. FINDINGS: Subtle chromosomal abnormalities occurred with a frequency of 7.4% in the children with moderate to severe mental retardation, and of 0.5% in the children with mild retardation. The abnormalities had an estimated population prevalence of 2.1 per 10,000, and were familial in almost half of cases. INTERPRETATION: Once recognisable syndromes have been excluded, abnormalities that include the ends of chromosomes are the commonest cause of mental retardation in children with undiagnosed moderate to severe mental retardation. Owing to the high prevalence of familial cases, screening for subtle chromosomal rearrangements is warranted in children with unexplained moderate to severe mental retardation.
spellingShingle Knight, S
Regan, R
Nicod, A
Horsley, S
Kearney, L
Homfray, T
Winter, R
Bolton, P
Flint, J
Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.
title Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.
title_full Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.
title_fullStr Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.
title_full_unstemmed Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.
title_short Subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation.
title_sort subtle chromosomal rearrangements in children with unexplained mental retardation
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