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It is now recognized that FMR1 premutation carriers (PC) are at risk to develop a range of neurological, psychiatric, and immune-mediated disorders during adulthood. There are conflicting findings regarding the incidence of hypertension, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and cancer in these patients that warrant further study. A retrospective controlled study was performed in a convenience sample of 248 controls (130 men, 118 women) and 397 FMR1 PC with and without fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) (176 men, 221 women); all participants were at least 45 years old (men: mean 62.4, SD 9.5; women: mean 62.8, SD 9.9; p = 0.63). Memory and cognitive assessments (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III)) and molecular testing (CGG repeats and FMR1-mRNA levels) were performed. Additional data included body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and medical history. A higher percentage of PC subjects self-reported having a diagnosis of hypertension (50.0 vs. 35.0 %, p = 0.006) and thyroid problems (20.4 vs. 10.0 %, p = 0.012) than control subjects. When comparing controls versus PC with FXTAS, the association was higher for diabetes (p = 0.043); however, the effect was not significant after adjusting for demographic predictors. Blood pressure, blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and BMI values were not significantly different between the two groups. The PC with FXTAS group performed consistently lower in neuropsychological testing compared with the PC without FXTAS group, but the differences were very small for all but the WAIS full-scale IQ. Based on these findings, it appears that the risk for hypertension, thyroid problems, and diabetes may be more frequent in PC with FXTAS, which will require verification in future studies.

Key Points: Question: How does molecular diagnostic yield and the time to return of results differ between genomic sequencing and a commercially available targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test in 400 hospitalized infants suspected of having a genetic disorder? Findings: Median time to result was 6.1 days for genomic sequencing and 4.2 days for the targeted gene-sequencing test. Molecular diagnostic yield of genomic sequencing was 49% (95% CI, 44%-54%) vs 27% (95% CI 23%-32%) with the targeted gene-sequencing test. Changes in clinical interventions affected 19% of participants. Meaning: In hospitalized infants, a genomic-sequencing approach achieved a higher molecular diagnostic yield but had a longer time to return of results than a commercially available targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test. Importance: Genomic testing in infancy guides medical decisions and can improve health outcomes. However, it is unclear whether genomic sequencing or a targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test provides comparable molecular diagnostic yields and times to return of results. Objective: To compare outcomes of genomic sequencing with those of a targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Genomic Medicine for Ill Neonates and Infants (GEMINI) study was a prospective, comparative, multicenter study of 400 hospitalized infants younger than 1 year of age (proband) and their parents, when available, suspected of having a genetic disorder. The study was conducted at 6 US hospitals from June 2019 to November 2021. Exposure: Enrolled participants underwent simultaneous testing with genomic sequencing and a targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test. Each laboratory performed an independent interpretation of variants guided by knowledge of the patient's phenotype and returned results to the clinical care team. Change in clinical management, therapies offered, and redirection of care was provided to families based on genetic findings from either platform. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end points were molecular diagnostic yield (participants with ≥1 pathogenic variant or variant of unknown significance), time to return of results, and clinical utility (changes in patient care). Results: A molecular diagnostic variant was identified in 51% of participants (n = 204; 297 variants identified with 134 being novel). Molecular diagnostic yield of genomic sequencing was 49% (95% CI, 44%-54%) vs 27% (95% CI, 23%-32%) with the targeted gene-sequencing test. Genomic sequencing did not report 19 variants found by the targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test; the targeted gene-sequencing test did not report 164 variants identified by genomic sequencing as diagnostic. Variants unidentified by the targeted genomic-sequencing test included structural variants longer than 1 kilobase (25.1%) and genes excluded from the test (24.6%) (McNemar odds ratio, 8.6 [95% CI, 5.4-14.7]). Variant interpretation by laboratories differed by 43%. Median time to return of results was 6.1 days for genomic sequencing and 4.2 days for the targeted genomic-sequencing test; for urgent cases (n = 107) the time was 3.3 days for genomic sequencing and 4.0 days for the targeted gene-sequencing test. Changes in clinical care affected 19% of participants, and 76% of clinicians viewed genomic testing as useful or very useful in clinical decision-making, irrespective of a diagnosis. Conclusions and Relevance: The molecular diagnostic yield for genomic sequencing was higher than a targeted neonatal gene-sequencing test, but the time to return of routine results was slower. Interlaboratory variant interpretation contributes to differences in molecular diagnostic yield and may have important consequences for clinical management. This prospective multicenter study of 400 hospitalized infants with a suspected genetic disorder evaluated rates of molecular diagnostic yield, time to return of results, and clinical utility by comparing between genomic sequencing and targeted neonatal gene-sequencing testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillorenal syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with mutations in the gene PAX2 and often presents with characteristic and specific optic disc findings, frequently with renal dysplasia. In at least half of cases, an identifiable mutation in the PAX2 gene can be detected. We report the ocular findings in a second case of papillorenal syndrome with the c.350 G > C (p.Arg117Pro) mutation detected within the PAX2 gene. A case report of papillorenal syndrome due to PAX2 mutation. Complete ophthalmologic examination was performed as well as color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Genetic testing was performed using a next-generation sequencing with CNV calling (NGS-CNV) panel test containing 55 genes associated with nephrotic syndrome or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. An 11-year-old boy who presented with hypertension and proteinuria was found to have stage IV chronic kidney disease. Presenting visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. The fundus exam showed bilateral centrally excavated optic discs with absent central retinal vessels and a compensatory multiplicity of cilioretinal vessels, characteristic and specific for papillorenal syndrome. OCT showed outer retinal atrophy and macular schisis. Genetic testing identified the likely pathogenic c.350 G > C (p.Arg117Pro) mutation in PAX2. We report the first description, to our knowledge, of the clinical presentation, ocular and systemic findings, and ophthalmic imaging in an individual with papillorenal syndrome associated with the PAX2 c.350 G > C (p.Arg117Pro) mutation. Our case adds to the current understanding of papillorenal syndrome and demonstrates that this condition is associated with a pathognomonic optic disc appearance and significant renal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the advent of effective antibiotic treatment of Treponema pallidum, syphilis continues to be present in our population and recently has been increasing in frequency. The consequences can be especially dire in the setting of an untreated infection in pregnancy. This case report describes a case of congenital syphilis in a dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy that resulted in a stillbirth of one twin and the characteristic findings of congenital syphilis in the surviving twin. This report demonstrates a number of challenges to the clinician in the effective and timely diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]