Clinical Manifestations, Molecular Genetics and Gonadal Pathology of 416 Patients with Disorders of Sex Development: A Single-Center Cohort Study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical manifestations, molecular genetics and gonadal pathology characteristics of patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), and to summarize the clinical experience of identifying rare diseases from common symptoms.MethodsThe clinical data of 416 patients with DSD diagnosed and treated in the multidisciplinary center of DSD of Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from May 2018 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, summarized and discussed.ResultsAccording to chromosome karyotype, 416 cases of DSD were classified into three types: 92 cases(22.1%) of abnormal sex chromosome karyotype, 285 cases(68.5%) of 46, XY karyotype and 39 cases(9.4%) of 46, XX karyotype. Among the 92 patients with abnormal sex chromosome karyotype, 59 cases were raised as males, 18 cases (30.5%) complained of short penis with hypospadias and cryptorchidism. The most common karyotype was 45, X/46, XY(58 cases, 63.0%).Among the 285 patients with 46, XY karyotype, 238 cases were raised as males, and 63 cases(26.5%)complained of short penis and hypospadias; 47 cases were raised as females, and 13 cases(27.7%) complained of inguinal mass. A total of 216 patients with 46, XY karyotype were subjected to whole exome gene detection, and 155 cases(71.8%) were found to have molecular pathogenesis with the clinical phenotype. Among the 39 patients with 46, XX karyotype, 19 cases were raised as males, and 8 cases(42.1%) complained of short penis and hypospadias. In the 18 cases of gonad biopsy, 17 cases showed testicular tissue in gonads. Whole exome sequencing was performed in 14 cases. NR5A1 gene heterozygous mutation, SRY gene mutation and SOX3 gene mutation were found in 2 cases, respectively(14.3%). Twenty cases were raised as females, and 14 cases(70.0%) complained of clitoral hypertrophy. Gonad biopsy was performed in 8 cases, with 7 cases of ovotestis(87.5%) and 1 case of NR5A1 gene heterozygous mutation(14.3%).ConclusionsThe etiologies of DSD are complex and diverse, and the clinical manifestations are various, which can be manifested as hypospadias, micropenis, cryptorchidism and other common symptoms of the urinary system. Different etiologies have different treatment options. Therefore, chromosome karyotype, molecular genetic testing and gonadal pathology can be used to clarify the cause of disease, especially for rare diseases, improve the detection rate, reduce the rate of missed diagnosis, and ensure reasonable treatment, especially sex selection.

Keywords

• rare diseases
• hypospadias
• disorders of sex development
• clinical manifestations
• molecular genetics
• gonadal pathology