Differential Diagnosis of Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) by Molecular Genetic Analyses.
10.6065/apem.2012.17.3.137
- Author:
Jin Ho CHOI
1
;
Han Wook YOO
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hwyoo@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Disorders of sex development;
Sex determination
- MeSH:
46, XX Disorders of Sex Development;
46, XY Disorders of Sex Development;
Child;
Coat Protein Complex I;
Comparative Genomic Hybridization;
Cytogenetics;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Disorders of Sex Development;
DNA;
Endocrinology;
Follow-Up Studies;
Genes, sry;
Genetic Counseling;
Genetic Testing;
Genitalia;
Gonads;
Humans;
Karyotype;
Molecular Biology;
Neonatology;
Ovotesticular Disorders of Sex Development;
Pregnancy;
Recurrence;
Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development;
Sexual Development;
Transcription Factors;
Urology
- From:Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism
2012;17(3):137-144
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Sex determination and differentiation require the balanced and sequential activation of transcription factors, signaling molecules, hormones and their receptors. Disorders of sex development (DSD) have heterogeneous groups of etiologies caused by mutations or deletions of genes involved in sex development. The DSD is categorized into 46, XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, sex chromosome DSD, ovotesticular DSD, and 46,XX testicular DSD. Precise diagnosis is essential for sex assignment, surgical correction of external genitalia, prevention of gonadal tumors, psychiatric support, and genetic counseling. The increased genetic knowledge in the field has opened up new diagnostic possibilities. The first line genetic testing for DSD is the assessment of the karyotype and the SRY gene. The follow-up genetic tests are performed for confirmatory diagnosis; the evaluation of copy number variants by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), direct sequencing of a specific gene, and functional analyses of mutations. A lot of genes can be analyzed by molecular laboratories and the number of available genes is growing. DNA analyses should be done under clinical assessment on the basis of family history, prenatal history, physical findings focused on external genitalia, endocrinologic data, and radiologic findings. Genetic counseling is essential to help patients and their families understand the disease status and the risk for recurrence in future pregnancies, and participate in the process of sex assignment. Children with DSD should be managed with a multidisciplinary team, including pediatric endocrinology, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, neonatology, urology, and psychiatry.
