The sequencing of the entire human genome has revealed the location of an estimated 50,000 genes approximately, although very little is known about their role in human morbidity. Physical mapping of genes involves chromosome abnormalities and variations as two important factors. Hence, to establish genotype–phenotype relationships, a large-scale strategic approach will be of greater importance. Linking up the association of disease consistently with chromosome abnormalities such as deletions, duplications and translocations would be the simple way of mapping disease genes. Mapping of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF1) to chromosome 17[
7] and the rare congenital disorder campomelic dysplasia (CMPD1), also mapped to chromosome 17[
8–
11], are good examples of this strategy. Molecular characterization of chromosomal breakpoints in carriers of balanced translocation would be one of the vital strategies to be implemented. Thus, disease-associated chromosome rearrangements[
12] that truncate, delete or otherwise inactivate specific genes have been instrumental in the positional cloning of many disease genes.[
4] In this paper, we report an interesting case with apparently inherited reciprocal-balanced translocation that has resulted in delayed development of milestones. Delayed milestones or developmental delays are defined as a lag in the child’s development compared to the established standard normal ranges for his or her age. From birth to 6 years of age, 8% of all children show delays in one or more areas of development. The present report indicates that the proband had developmental lags in the first year of her life. She could not crawl by 8 months of age and walk by the middle of the second year; thus, 5 or 6 months behind the normal standard schedule in reaching these milestones, indicating developmental delay regarding mobility. The proband was not speaking words or sentences by her third birthday, while almost all normal children begin to speak their first words before or at the age of 18 months, and by age 3, the majority of children speak short sentences. At toddlerhood, the proband was found to be reserved and less adventuresome as compared to a normal kid who begins to explore the environment with avid curiosity and immense energy to strike out independently and master new skills. Parents had no history of delayed milestones in their childhood.
Balanced chromosomal translocations may cause damage or alteration of the functional genes at the breakpoints of the defective chromosomes resulting in the disease phenotype.[
13] It was described previously that children who inherit reciprocal balanced translocation from one of the parents show association with congenital malformation.[
14–
16] The present case report, however, is the first report of paternal inheritance of balanced reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 8 and 18 at their respective breakpoint, which shows an association with delayed milestones and which has not been reported previously.
Couples with balanced reciprocal translocations could have a 50% risk of having spontaneous abortions and a 20% risk of having children with unbalanced karyotype.[
17] On the basis of the chromosomes involved and on the location of breakpoints, the production of normal, balanced or unbalanced gametes is decided.[
18,
19] The configuration of the hexavalent at the pachytene stage of meiosis was predominantly used to consider the pattern of segregation; only two configurations result in a normal or balanced gamete karyotype.
In carriers of balanced translocation, the possible reason for the association of congenital malformations could be gene inactivation or disruption at the breakpoint or a position effect.[
20] However, in the case of inherited reciprocal translocation seen in the proband, the breakpoint could inactivate genes, subsequently unmasking a recessive allele inherited from the other parent.[
21] The other possible reason could be the occurrence of unequal crossing-over during meiosis that may have resulted in submicroscopic duplications or deletions, as proposed by Jacobs.[
20] The present case report shows the inheritance of autosomal balanced reciprocal translocation by the proband from her carrier father who is phenotypically normal. This could be explained as an autosomal-recessive inheritance where, unlike the normal child, there is inheritance of the dominant alleles from both the parents and the recessive alleles along with defective alleles inherited to the proband [].
The gene
COH1 that maps at 8q22.2 encodes a potential transmembrane protein that functions in vesicle-mediated transport and sorting of proteins within the cell. This protein plays an important role in the development and the function of the eye, hematological system and central nervous system.[
22] Mutations in this gene have been associated with Cohen syndrome.[
23] Another important gene
NEDD4L mapped to 18q21 is the candidate gene for autosomal-dominant orthostatic hypotensive disorder. Also,
NEDD4L showed linkage evidence for a susceptibility locus for bipolar affective disorder.[
24] Hence, disruption of the gene or group of genes at this breakpoint suggests a cause for delayed developmental milestones. The possible reason leading to delayed milestones may be due to the consequence of the abnormality described in the patient. Hence, further analysis of the breakpoints and molecular characterization of these genes might help in understanding the basis of delayed development of milestones. In view of an increased risk of having congenitally abnormal children, carriers of balanced reciprocal translocation should, therefore, be advised to seek genetic counseling. The genetic counseling for a balanced translocation carrier is often difficult and may require some caution, especially when the fetal karyotype is balanced.[
16] Bonthron
et al.[
24] raised this warning in their report of
de novo submicroscopic deletion of an inherited Robertsonian translocation. Hence, carriers of balanced translocation should be counseled for increased risk of birth defects in their offspring due to
de novo submicroscopic rearrangements, and reproductive management is performed accordingly.
