13q13.1-q13.2 deletion in tetralogy of Fallot: clinical report and a literature review

Recent advances in microarray technology are helping to identify more genetic anomalies associated with tetralogy of Fallot and other congenital heart defects. We report on a 24-year-old woman with a syndromic form of tetralogy of Fallot who was found to have a novel de novo deletion of the proximal long arm of chromosome 13. History of developmental delay and learning difficulties, mild dysmorphic facial features, and anal atresia prompted genetic investigations. A review of the literature on deletions that overlap this region showed that several were associated with major congenital heart defects. The results suggest that the 13q13.1-q13.2 region may harbour a gene or genes important in cardiac development.