The eXtraordinarY Babies Study: Natural History of Health and Neurodevelopment in Infants with Sex Chromosome Trisomy

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Sex Chromosome Trisomies (SCT) including Klinefelter (XXY), XYY syndrome, and Trisomy X (XXX), occur in 1 out of every 500 births. In childhood there are increased risks for language and learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and emotional disorders. Medically, SCTs are associated with testicular failure in XXY, ovarian failure in XXX, and all have increased morbidity and mortality due to high risks for insulin resistance, seizures, and other health conditions. Prenatal SCT diagnosis has dras- tically increased over the past decade in the US with more widespread noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS). The eXtraordi- narY Babies Study was launched in 2017, and has enrolled the largest and most diverse prenatally diagnosed SCT cohort to date, including 271 infants followed prospectively from 2 months to 3-4 years of age with detailed medical, hormonal, and developmental phenotyping coupled with a longitudinal biobank including over 1250 biospecimens. Results have identified medical features not previously described in SCT, detailed acquisition of developmental milestones, and identified differ- ences in early speech and behavior profiles known to be ‘red flags’ of later diagnoses such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. Parents shared experiences highlighting the need for improved genetic counseling models. Follow-up of participants into the school-age years is critical as important comorbidities such as reading disabilities, ADHD, autism and endocrine dysfunction being to emerge, phenotypic variability broadens, and developmental and health outcomes become more predictive of later functioning. In this renewal project we aim to: (1) Describe and compare the natural history of neurodevelopment, medical problems and hormonal profiles of SCT through prospective study of the eX- traordinarY Babies cohort into early school age, (2) To identify of poor developmental and health outcomes in SCT, with special attention to modifiable factors of development, health and environment to guide future intervention trials, and (3) To develop an evidence-based, parent-informed best practice model for prenatal genetic counseling unique to the needs of the SCT population. Approach: Current study participants (n=262; XXY=174, XYY=25, XXX=54, XXYY/XXXY=9) and 60 newly recruited children will complete annual assessments up to 7-8 years of age. New recruitment will target those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, low socioeconomic status, rural locations, and XYY and XXX. Demographics, health and family history, and education/interventions will be collected, along with assessments of: (1) cognitive, psychological and motor functioning; (2) physical and gonadal measures and (3) quality of life. Statistical models will contrast longitudinal profiles for each SCT group and compare to population norms. Linear models and logistic regression will be used to test the association between poten- tial early risk factors and selected outcomes at age 7. Biological samples will be added to the biorepository. Parent experi- ences with the prenatal SCT diagnosis will be analyzed via a mixed method approach to develop evidence-based genetic counseling resources. Impact: Longitudinal study of the largest cohort of prenatally identified children with SCT provides a novel resource that will inform the natural history of developmental and medical profiles in SCTs, guide genetic counseling, identify targets for intervention trials, inform newborn screening, and provide an invaluable data and biospecimen repository for future research.