Diagnostic Value of Microarray Method in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Congenital Anomalies and Some Candidate Genes for Autism: Experience of Two Centers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the diagnostic value of microarray testing in autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and multiple congenital anomalies of unknown etiology, as well as to report some potential candidate genes for autism. Methods: Microarray analysis records between January 2016 and December 2017 from two Genetic Diagnostic Centers in Turkey, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman and Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, were compiled. Detected copy number variations (CNVs) were classified as benign, likely benign, variants of uncertain significance (VUS), likely pathogenic, and pathogenic according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. The clinical findings of the some patients and the literature data were compared. Results: In 109 (24.5%) of 445 patients, a total of 163 CNVs with reporting criterion feature were detected. Sixty-nine (42%) and 8 (5%) of these were evaluated as pathogenic and likely pathogenic, respectively. Fifteen (9%) CNVs were also evaluated as VUS. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs were detected in 61 (13.6%) of 445 patients. Conclusions: We found that the probability of elucidating the etiology of microarray method in autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and multiple congenital anomalies is 13.6% with a percentage similar to the literature. We suggest that the MYT1L, PXDN, TPO, and AUTS2 genes are all strong candidate genes for autism spectrum disorders. We detailed the clinical findings of the cases and reported that some CNV regions in the genome may be associated with autism.