Tetrasomy Y by structural rearrangement: Clinical report

Poly-Y karyotypes, except for 47,XYY, are rare events in humans. For instance, Y chromosome tetrasomy has been reported 10 times, 2 of which were by structural rearrangement. We present a 2-year-and-4-month-old boy who was referred for cytogenetic assessment because of global psychomotor delay. The GTG- and CBG-banded karyotypes on PHA-stimulated lymphocytes showed two cell populations, one of them contained two identical isodicentric Y chromosomes, which was seen in 93% of metaphases analyzed, and a 45,X cell line (7%). This was confirmed by FISH with probes DYZ3 (recognizing the centromeric region of the Y chromosome), 91H4.5 (recognizing Yp11.2), and DYZ1 (recognizing Y heterochromatin in Yq12). The breakpoint has occurred near the telomeric end of the heterochromatic region. Therefore, the karyotype is mos 47,X,idic(Y)(q12)x2[123]/45,X[9]. This is the second time that such a karyotype has been reported. This chromosomal anomaly was formed most likely by a U-type exchange. Clinical features included speech delay, short stature, brachycephaly, large ears, bilateral epicanthal folds, hypertelorism, delayed teeth eruption, bilateral radio-ulnar synostosis, bilateral fifth finger clinodactyly, normal external genitalia, and impulsive behavior. The father had normal phenotype and karyotype. A review of the tetrasomy Y patients is presented. All patients with Y chromosome tetrasomy exhibit some degree of mental retardation, various skeletal abnormalities, and facial dysmorphism. Nevertheless, the correlation between karyotype and phenotype is not yet well defined since few cases have been reported. This clinical report will be helpful in defining the phenotypic range associated with tetrasomy Y.