IGF1R, IGFALS, and IGFBP3 gene copy number variations in a group of non-syndromic Egyptian short children

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is required for normal intrauterine and postnatal growth, and this action is mediated through IGF1 receptor (IGF1R). IGF1R copy number variants (CNVs) can cause pre- and postnatal growth restriction, affecting an individual's height. In this study, we used multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect CNVs in IGF1R, IGFALS, and IGFBP3 genes in the diagnostic workup of short stature for 40 Egyptian children with short stature. RESULTS: We detected a heterozygous deletion of IGF1R (exons 4 through 21) in 1 out of the 40 studied children (2.5%). Meanwhile, we did not detect any CNVs in either IGFALS or IGFBP3. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic workup of short stature using MLPA for CNVs of IGF1R and other recognized height-related genes, such as SHOX and GH, in non-syndromic short stature children can be a fast and inexpensive diagnostic tool to recognize a subcategory of patients in which growth hormone treatment can be considered.