BackgroundTo alert for the diagnosis of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) in
patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).ObjectiveTo describe the main CHDs, as well as phenotypic, metabolic and immunological
findings in a series of 60 patients diagnosed with 22q11.2DS.MethodsThe study included 60 patients with 22q11.2DS evaluated between 2007 and 2013
(M:F=1.3, age range 14 days to 20 years and 3 months) at a pediatric reference
center for primary immunodeficiencies. The diagnosis was established by detection
of the 22q11.2 microdeletion using FISH (n = 18) and/or MLPA (n = 42), in
association with clinical and laboratory information. Associated CHDs, progression
of phenotypic facial features, hypocalcemia and immunological changes were
analyzed.ResultsCHDs were detected in 77% of the patients and the most frequent type was tetralogy
of Fallot (38.3%). Surgical correction of CHD was performed in 34 patients.
Craniofacial dysmorphisms were detected in 41 patients: elongated face (60%)
and/or elongated nose (53.3%), narrow palpebral fissure (50%), dysplastic,
overfolded ears (48.3%), thin lips (41.6%), elongated fingers (38.3%) and short
stature (36.6%). Hypocalcemia was detected in 64.2% and decreased parathyroid
hormone (PTH) level in 25.9%. Decrease in total lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 counts
were present in 40%, 53.3% and 33.3%, respectively. Hypogammaglobulinemia was
detected in one patient and decreased concentrations of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in
two other patients.ConclusionSuspicion for 22q11.2DS should be raised in all patients with CHD associated with
hypocalcemia and/or facial dysmorphisms, considering that many of these changes
may evolve with age. The 22q11.2 microdeletion should be confirmed by molecular
testing in all patients.