Fragile X syndrome and an isodicentric X chromosome in a woman with multiple anomalies, developmental delay, and normal pubertal development

Debra L. Freedenberg, Louise W. Gane, Carolyn S. Richards, Megan Lampe, Jennifer Hills, Rebecca O'Connor, David Manchester, Annette Taylor, Flora Tassone, Dennis Hulseberg, Randi J. Hagerman, Shivanand R. Patil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report on an individual with developmental delays, short stature, skeletal abnormalities, normal pubertal development, expansion of the fragile X triplet repeat, as well as an isodicentric X chromosome. S is a 19-year- old woman who presented for evaluation of developmental delay. Pregnancy was complicated by a threatened miscarriage. She was a healthy child with intellectual impairment noted in infancy. Although she had global delays, speech was noted to be disproportionately delayed with few words until age 3.5 years. Facial appearance was consistent with fragile X syndrome. Age of onset of menses was 11 years with normal breast development. A maternal male second cousin had been identified with fragile X syndrome based on DNA studies. The mother of this child (S's maternal first cousin) and the grandfather (S's maternal uncle) were both intellectually normal but were identified as carrying triplet expansions in the premutation range. S's mother had some school difficulties but was not identified as having global delays. Molecular analysis of S's fragile X alleles noted an expansion of more than 400 CGG repeats in one allele. Routine cytogenetic studies of peripheral blood noted the presence of an isodicentric X in 81 of 86 cells scored. Five of 86 cells were noted to be 45,X. Cytogenetic fra(X) studies from peripheral blood showed that the structurally normal chromosome had the fragile site in approximately 16% of the cells. Analysis of maternal fragile X alleles identified an allele with an expansion to ~110 repeats. FMRP studies detected the expression of the protein in 24% of cells studied. To our knowledge, this is the first patient reported with an isodicentric X and fragile X syndrome. Whereas her clinical phenotype is suggestive of fragile X syndrome, her skeletal abnormalities may represent the presence of the isodicentric X. Treatment of S with 20 mg/day of Prozac improved her behavior. In the climate of cost control, this individual reinforces the recommendation of obtaining chromosomes on individuals with developmental delay even with a family history of fragile X syndrome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)197-201
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics
Volume85
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Isodicentric X
  • Turner phenotype

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fragile X syndrome and an isodicentric X chromosome in a woman with multiple anomalies, developmental delay, and normal pubertal development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this