New insights into the phenotypes of 6q deletions

Am J Med Genet. 1997 Jun 27;70(4):377-86.

Abstract

Deletions of chromosome 6q are rare. We report 3 new patients with 6q deletions. Case 1 is a male with an interstitial deletion [del(6)(q13q14.2)], hypotonia, speech delays, and minor anomalies. Case 2 is a male with an interstitial deletion [del(6)(q16.2q22.32)] and malformations, including truncus arteriosus and bilateral oligodactyly. Case 3 is a male with a terminal deletion [del(6)(q25.2)] with retinal pits, hydrocephalus, atrioventricular canal, and hydronephrosis. The findings in our patients and those from 57 previously reported cases demonstrated 3 phenotypic groups associated with 6q deletions. Group A [del(6)(q11-q16)] had a high incidence of hernias, upslanting palpebral fissures, and thin lips with lower frequency of microcephaly, micrognathia, and heart malformations. Group B [del(6)(q15-q25)] was associated with increased intrauterine growth retardation, abnormal respiration, hypertelorism, and upper limb malformations. Group C [del(6)(q25-qter)] was associated with retinal abnormalities, cleft palate, and genital hypoplasia. The only universal finding among all patients with 6q deletions was mental retardation. Other findings common to all 3 groups included ear anomalies (90%), hypotonia (82%), and postnatal growth retardation (68%).

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosome Deletion*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / genetics*
  • Ear / abnormalities
  • Female
  • Growth Disorders / genetics
  • Growth Disorders / pathology
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping
  • Male
  • Muscle Hypotonia / genetics
  • Muscle Hypotonia / pathology
  • Phenotype