Multiplex ligation-dependant probe amplification study of children with idiopathic mental retardation in South India

• Published in: Indian journal of human genetics Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 165 - 170
• Main Authors: John, Neetha, Rajasekhar, Moka, Girisha, Katta, Sharma, Podila Satya, Gopinath, Puthiya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications 01.04.2013; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Children; Cytogenetics; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Mental retardation; Neurogenetics; Original; India; mental retardation; micro-deletions; Developmental delay; SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3; multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification
• ISSN: 0971-6866; 1998-362X
• DOI: 10.4103/0971-6866.116115

Background: Mental retardation (MR) is a heterogeneous dysfunction of the central nervous system exhibiting complex phenotypes and has an estimated prevalence of 1-3% in the general population. However, in about 50% of the children diagnosed with any form of intellectual disability or developmental delay the cause goes undetected contributing to idiopathic intellectual disability. Materials and Methods: A total of 122 children with developmental delay/MR were studied to identify the microscopic and submicroscopic chromosome rearrangements by using the conventional cytogenetics and multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis using SALSA MLPA kits from Microbiology Research Centre Holland [MRC] Holland. Results: All the recruited children were selected for this study, after thorough clinical assessment and metaphases prepared were analyzed by using automated karyotyping system. None was found to have chromosomal abnormality; MLPA analysis was carried out in all subjects and identified in 11 (9%) patients. Conclusion: Karyotype analysis in combination with MLPA assays for submicroscopic micro-deletions may be recommended for children with idiopathic MR.