High Molecular Diagnosis Rate in Undermasculinized Males with Differences in Sex Development Using a Stepwise Approach.

Creator(s)

Jill Jacobson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Laurel K. Willig, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
John Gatti, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Julie Strickland, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Anna Egan, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Carol J. Saunders, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Emily G. Farrow, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Leslie L. Heckert

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2020

Identifier

DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqz015

Abstract

Differences of sex development (DSDs) are a constellation of conditions that result in genital ambiguity or complete sex reversal. Although determining the underlying genetic variants can affect clinical management, fewer than half of undermasculinized males ever receive molecular diagnoses. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has improved diagnostic capabilities in several other diseases, and a few small studies suggest that it may improve molecular diagnostic capabilities in DSDs. However, the overall diagnostic rate that can be achieved with NGS for larger groups of patients with DSDs remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to implement a tiered approach to genetic testing in undermasculinized males seen in an interdisciplinary DSD clinic to increase the molecular diagnosis rate in this group. We determined the diagnosis rate in patients undergoing all clinically available testing. Patients underwent a stepwise approach to testing beginning with a karyotype and progressing through individual gene testing, microarray, panel testing, and then to whole-exome sequencing (WES) if no molecular cause was found. Deletion/duplication studies were also done if deletions were suspected. Sixty undermasculinized male participants were seen in an interdisciplinary DSD clinic from 2008 to 2016. Overall, 37/60 (62%) of patients with Y chromosomes and 46% of those who were 46XY received molecular diagnoses. Of the 46,XY patients who underwent all available genetic testing, 18/28 (64%) achieved molecular diagnoses. This study suggests that the addition of WES testing can result in a higher rate of molecular diagnoses compared to genetic panel testing.

Journal Title

Endocrinology

Volume

161

Issue

5

Keywords

46,XY; disorders of sexual development; genetics; next-generation sequencing

Recommended Citation

Jacobson JD, Willig LK, Gatti J, et al. High Molecular Diagnosis Rate in Undermasculinized Males with Differences in Sex Development Using a Stepwise Approach. Endocrinology. 2020;161(5):bqz015. doi:10.1210/endocr/bqz015