Applying whole exome sequencing in a consanguineous population with autism spectrum disorder

• Published in: International journal of developmental disabilities Vol. 69; no. 2; pp. 190 - 200
• Main Authors: Al-Mamari, Watfa, Idris, Ahmed B., Al-Thihli, Khalid, Abdulrahim, Reem, Jalees, Saquib, Al-Jabri, Muna, Gabr, Ahlam, Al Murshedi, Fathiya, Al Kindy, Adila, Al-Hadabi, Intisar, Bruwer, Zandrè, Islam, M. Mazharul, Alsayegh, Abeer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 2023; Maney Publishing, Hudson Road
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic children; Central nervous system; Children; Clinical Diagnosis; clinical predictors; Convulsions & seizures; Etiology; Genetics; Nervous system; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); whole exome sequencing; clinical predictors; Autism spectrum disorder; whole exome sequencing
• ISSN: 2047-3869; 2047-3877
• DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2021.1937000

This study aimed to systematically assess the impact of clinical and demographic variables on the diagnostic yield of Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) when applied to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from a consanguineous population. Ninety-seven children were included in the analysis, 63% were male and 37% were females. 77.3% had a suspected syndromic aetiology of which 68% had co-existent central nervous system (CNS) clinical features, while 69% had other systems involved. The diagnostic yield of WES in our cohort with ASD was 34%. Children with seizures were more likely to have positive WES results (46% vs. 31%, p = 0.042). Probands with suspected syndromic ASD aetiology showed no significant differential impact on the diagnostic yield of WES.