Five children with del (2)(q31q33) and one individual with dup (2)(q31q33) from a single family: review of brain, cardiac, and limb malformations

Abstract

Five matings to a dir ins (6;2)(q16;q31q33) carrier have produced a high frequency (42%) of offspring with unbalanced karyotypes. Five children have the derivative chromosome 2 resulting in del (2)(q31q33) and one individual received the derivative chromosome 6 leading to dup (2)(q31q33). The findings associated with the deletion include pre- and postnatal growth retardation, developmental delay, minor facial anomalies, seizures, complex structural heart defects, and limb deficiency. Autopsy of one individual showed complex brain malformations including hydrocephalus secondary to obstruction of the foramina of Monro, extensive heterotopias and polymicrogyria, and an unusual form of total anomalous pulmonary venous return. We compare the findings in these children to those of previously reported cases and construct an overview of the range of anomalies. Apparently, no other individual with dup (2)(q31q33) has been described. We compare the physical peculiarities of our patient with those of individuals with duplications of overlapping regions of 2q.