Molecular Cytogenetics

unofficial impact factor 2.41

Open Access Highly Access Case report

Detailed molecular and clinical investigation of a child with a partial deletion of chromosome 11 (Jacobsen syndrome)

Emmanouil Manolakos1,2*, Sandro Orru2, Rosita Neroutsou1, Konstantinos Kefalas1, Eirini Louizou1, Ioannis Papoulidis3, Loretta Thomaidis4, Panagiotis Peitsidis5, Sotirios Sotiriou6, George Kitsos7, Panagiota Tsoplou1, Michael B Petersen8 and Aikaterini Metaxotou1

Author Affiliations

1 Bioiatriki S.A., Laboratory of Genetics, Athens, Greece

2 Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cagliari, Binaghi Hospital, Cagliari, Italy

3 Eurogenetica S.A., Thessaloniki, Greece

4 Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece

5 Department of Fetal Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, UK

6 Department of Embryology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

7 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

8 Department of Genetics, Institute of Child Health, Athens, Greece

For all author emails, please log on.

Molecular Cytogenetics 2009, 2:26 doi:10.1186/1755-8166-2-26

Published: 9 December 2009

Abstract

Background

Jacobsen syndrome (JBS) is a rare chromosomal disorder leading to multiple physical and mental impairment. This syndrome is caused by a partial deletion of chromosome 11, especially subband 11q24.1 has been proven to be involved. Clinical cases may easily escape diagnosis, however pancytopenia or thrombocytopenia may be indicative for JBS.

Results

We report a 7.5 years old boy presenting with speech development delay, hearing impairment and abnormal platelet function. High resolution SNP oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed a terminal deletion of 11.4 Mb in size, in the area 11q24.1-11qter. This specific deletion encompasses around 170 genes. Other molecular techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification were used to confirm the array-result.

Discussion

Our results suggest that the identification and detailed analysis of similar patients with abnormal platelet function and otherwise mild clinical features will contribute to identification of more patients with 11q deletion and JBS.