Cryptic duplication and deletion of 9q34.3 --> qter in a family with a t(9;22)(q34.3;p11.2)

A newborn male was referred for genetic evaluation because of multiple congenital abnormalities. Physical findings included a round face, telecanthus, hypertelorism, a short upturned nose with anteverted nares, small ears, micrognathia, short toes, and congenital heart disease. Chromosome analysis detected a possible deletion of 9qter because of satellite material on 9qter. Delineation by FISH and microarray CGH studies showed 46,XY,der(9)t(9;22)(q34.3;p11.2). The mother and maternal grandfather had a balanced t(9;22)(q34.3;p11.2) rearrangement. Also, the maternal great-aunt of the propositus was found to have a duplication of 9q34.3 --> qter. FISH was required to delineate her karyotype, which was 46,XX.ish der(22)t(9;22)(q34.3;p11.2). This maternal great-aunt and one of her daughters (cytogenetics not done) have a relatively normal phenotype, only reporting mild learning disabilities in school. Since the 22p material involved in this rearrangement is clinically irrelevant, this report describes an individual with a pure deletion of 9q34.3 --> qter and another with a pure duplication of 9q34.3 --> qter.