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The 22q11.2 region is highly susceptible to genomic rearrangements leading to multiple genomic disorders, including 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) (MIM# 188400), 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome (MIM# 608363), supernumerary der(22)t(11;22) syndrome (also known as Emanuel Syndrome; MIM# 609029), and Cat Eye Syndrome (MIM# 115470). In this study, we present data on causes of mortality, average age of death, and the existing associated risk factors in patients with 22q11.2 rearrangements. Our cohort included 223 patients (120 males and 103 females) with confirmed diagnoses of 22q11.2 rearrangements diagnosed through molecular techniques (FISH, MLPA, and CMA). Relatives from patients who have been molecularly confirmed with 22q11.2 rearrangements have also been added to the study, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. Of these 223 individuals, 21 (9.4%) died. Deceased patients' rearrangements include 19 microdeletions, 1 microduplication, and 1 patient with a marker chromosome. The median age of death was 3 months and 18 days (ranging from 3 days to 34 years). There were 17 patients who died at pediatric age (80.95%), 3 died at adult age (14.28%), and for 1 of whom, the age of death is unknown (4.76%). Eighteen patients were White Mediterranean (European non-Finnish) (85.71%) whereas three were Amerindian (South American) (14.28%). Mortality from cardiac causes accounted for 71.42%. The second most frequent cause of death was sepsis in two patients (9.52%). One patient died from respiratory failure (4.76%) and one from renal failure (4.76%). Information regarding the cause of death was not available in two patients (9.52%). Most patients who died were diagnosed within the first week of life, the majority on the first day. This study adds additional information on mortality in one of the largest cohorts of patients with 22q11.2 rearrangements in more than 30 years of follow-up.

Background: Currently, there are no approved therapies to treat congenital athymia, a condition of immune deficiency resulting in high early mortality due to infection and immune dysregulation. Multiple syndromic conditions, such as complete DiGeorge syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, CHARGE (coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth or mental retardation, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies and/or deafness) syndrome, diabetic embryopathy, other genetic variants, and FOXN1 deficiency, are associated with congenital athymia., Objective: Our aims were to study 105 patients treated with cultured thymus tissue (CTT), and in this report, to focus on the outcomes of 95 patients with treatment-naive congenital athymia., Methods: A total of 10 prospective, single-arm open-label studies with patient enrollment from 1993 to 2020 form the basis of this data set. Patients were tested after administration of CTT for T-cell development; all adverse events and infections were recorded., Results: A total of 105 patients were enrolled and received CTT (the full analysis set). Of those patients, 10 had diagnoses other than congenital athymia and/or received prior treatments. Of those 105 patients, 95 patients with treatment-naive congenital athymia were included in the efficacy analysis set (EAS). The Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates at year 1 and year 2 after administration of CTT in the EAS were 77% (95% CI = 0.670-0.844) and 76% (95% CI = 0.657-0.834), respectively. In all, 21 patients died in the first year before developing naive T cells and 1 died in the second year after receipt of CTT; 3 subsequent deaths were not related to immunodeficiency. A few patients developed alopecia, autoimmune hepatitis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis after year 1. The rates of infections, autologous graft-versus-host-disease manifestations, and autoimmune cytopenias all decreased approximately 1 year after administration of CTT., Conclusion: Treatment with CTT led to development of naive T cells with a 1-year survival rate of 77% and a median follow-up time of 7.6 years. Immune reconstitution sufficient to prevent infections and support survival typically develops 6 to12 months after administration of CTT., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of our study was to elucidate the association between severity of postoperative hypocalcemia and the prognosis of the patients with 22q11DS., Methods: Data retrospectively were collected from 23 children with 22q11DS who underwent cardiac correction surgery. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated to determine the tendency of perioperative mortality rate, according to the minimum levels of serum calcium and the duration of hypocalcemia. A novel risk assessment system for perioperative mortality was established according to these valid parameters., Results: The death group had lower minimum levels of serum calcium and longer duration of hypocalcemia. The AUC of minimum levels of serum calcium was 0.912 (95% CI: 0.753-1; P = .003) and qualified its high accuracy for perioperative mortality. The AUC of duration of hypocalcemia was 0.804 (95% CI: 0.561-1; P = .03) and qualified its moderate accuracy. The tendency analyses also indicated the correlation between these two parameters and perioperative mortality. Based on the cut-off values from ROC analysis, a novel risk assessment system for perioperative mortality was established according to these two parameters. The patients with the lowest serum calcium level <0.885 mmol/L or duration of the hypocalcemia > 90.33 hours would be sorted into a high-risk group; others were divided into a low-risk group. The diagnostic odds ratio for this assessment system was 143(95% CI: 5.13-3982.52). No significant difference was found with regard to patient age, weight, preoperative serum total calcium, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, and aortic cross-clamp time between the high- and low-risk groups., Conclusions: The minimum levels of serum calcium and duration of hypocalcemia were valid predictors for preoperative mortality of 22q11DS patients.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome leads to both cardiac and non-cardiac developmental defects. We aimed to study the impact of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome on in-hospital outcomes in children undergoing surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and truncus arteriosus (TA). Using the nationally representative Kids Inpatient Database (KID), we analyzed data from in-hospital pediatric patients for the years 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. We compared the in-hospital outcomes between those with and those without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. There were 6126 cases of TOF and 968 cases of TA. 22q11.2 deletion syndrome were documented in 7.2% (n = 441) of the TOF and 27.4% (n  =  265) of the TA group. 22q11.2 deletion did not significantly increase the risk of mortality in either group: [OR = 1.98 (95% CI 0.99-3.94), adjusted p  =  0.053] for TOF and OR = 1.07 (95% CI 0.57-1.99), adjusted p = 0.82 for TA. However, the length of hospitalization was longer in the 22q11.2 deletion group by 8.6 days (95% CI 5.2-12), adjusted p < 0.001 for TOF and by 8.15 days (95% CI 1.05-15.25), adjusted p = 0.025 for the TA group. Acute respiratory failure [10.6% vs 5.5%, p < 0.001] and acute renal failure [6.3% vs 2.6%, p < 0.001] were higher in 22q11.2 deletion cohort within the TOF group but not in the TA group. Though survival is not affected, children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome who undergo surgical repair for TOF and TA use significantly more hospital resources-specifically longer hospital stay and higher hospitalization cost-than those without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Prenatal or preoperative testing for 22q11deletion is indicated to make appropriate adjustments in parental, caregiver, and administrative expectations.

Purpose: Given limited data available on long-term outcomes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), we investigated mortality risk in adults with this microdeletion syndrome., Methods: We studied 309 well-characterized adults (age ≥17 years) with 22q11.2DS and their 1014 unaffected parents and siblings, using a prospective case-control design. We used Cox proportional hazards regression modeling and Kaplan-Meier curves to investigate effects of the 22q11.2 deletion and its associated features on all-cause mortality and survival., Results: The 22q11.2 deletion (hazard ratio [HR] 8.86, 95% CI 2.87-27.37) and major congenital heart disease (CHD; HR 5.03, 95% CI 2.27-11.17), but not intellectual disability or psychotic illness, were significant independent predictors of mortality for adults with 22q11.2DS compared with their siblings. Amongst those with 22q11.2DS, there were 31 deaths that occurred at a median age of 46.4 (range 18.1-68.6) years; a substantial minority had outlived both parents. Probability of survival to age 45 years was approximately 72% for those with major CHD, and 95% for those with no major CHD (p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: For adults with 22q11.2DS, the 22q11.2 deletion and more severe forms of CHD both contribute to a lower life expectancy than family-based expectations. The results have implications for genetic counseling and anticipatory care.

Objectives: Improved survival after congenital heart surgery has led to interest in functional health status. We sought to identify factors associated with self-reported functional health status in adolescents and young adults with repaired interrupted aortic arch., Methods: Follow-up of survivors (aged 13-24 years) from a 1987 to 1997 inception cohort of neonates included completion of functional health status questionnaires (Child Health Questionnaire-CF87 [age <18 years, n = 51] or the Short Form [SF]-36 [age ≥18 years, n = 66]) and another about 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) features (n = 141). Factors associated with functional health status domains were determined using multivariable linear regression analysis., Results: Domain scores of respondents were significantly greater than norms in 2 of 9 Child Health Questionnaire-CF87 and 4 of 10 SF-36 domains and only lower in the physical functioning domain of the SF-36. Factors most commonly associated with lower scores included those suggestive of 22q11DS (low calcium levels, recurrent childhood infections, genetic testing/diagnosis, abnormal facial features, hearing deficits), the presence of self-reported behavioral and mental health problems, and a greater number of procedures. Factors explained between 10% and 70% of domain score variability (R 2  = 0.10-0.70, adj-R 2  = 0.09-0.66). Of note, morphology and repair type had a minor contribution., Conclusions: Morbidities associated with 22q11DS, psychosocial issues, and recurrent medical issues affect functional health status more than initial morphology and repair in this population. Nonetheless, these patients largely perceive themselves as better than their peers. This demonstrates the chronic nature of interrupted aortic arch and suggests the need for strategies to decrease reinterventions and for evaluation of mental health and genetic issues to manage associated deteriorations., (Copyright © 2019 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is commonly associated with both congenital heart disease (CHD) and immunologic abnormalities. While CHD may prompt consideration for heart transplantation (HTx), little is known about HTx management or outcomes in this group. The aim of this study was to describe the spectrum of patients with DGS who undergo HTx and report post-HTx outcomes. All pediatric HTx recipients (2002-2016) with DGS were identified using ICD codes from a linked billing and clinical registry database. Patient characteristics and outcomes were described and compared to non-DGS HTx recipients with CHD. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to assess overall survival, freedom from infection, and freedom from rejection. A total of 17 patients with DGS who underwent HTx at 12 different centers were included. Median age at HTx was 5 years (IQR 0-13 years). Steroids were used for induction in all patients in addition to thymoglobulin in 13/17 (76%) and IL2R antagonists in 3/17 (18%). Maintenance immunosuppression was a combination of tacrolimus or cyclosporine and mycophenolate or azathioprine in 16/17 (94%). Half received steroids at the time of discharge. There were six deaths (35%). The median post-HTx survival was 5.4 years with no difference in freedom from rejection, infection, or overall survival between patients with and without DGS. Patients with DGS undergoing HTx received standard immunosuppression. We found no difference in freedom from infection, rejection, or overall post-HTx survival compared to non-DGS patients, although the small size of our study resulted in limited statistical power. Given the potential for favorable outcomes, patients with DGS may be considered for HTx in the appropriate clinical setting.

Objective: To delineate the natural history, diagnosis, and treatment response of Parkinson disease (PD) in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), and to determine if these patients differ from those with idiopathic PD., Methods: In this international observational study, we characterized the clinical and neuroimaging features of 45 individuals with 22q11.2DS and PD (mean follow-up 7.5 ± 4.1 years)., Results: 22q11.2DS PD had a typical male excess (32 male, 71.1%), presentation and progression of hallmark motor symptoms, reduced striatal dopamine transporter binding with molecular imaging, and initial positive response to levodopa (93.3%). Mean age at motor symptom onset was relatively young (39.5 ± 8.5 years); 71.4% of cases had early-onset PD (<45 years). Despite having a similar age at onset, the diagnosis of PD was delayed in patients with a history of antipsychotic treatment compared with antipsychotic-naive patients (median 5 vs 1 year, p = 0.001). Preexisting psychotic disorders (24.5%) and mood or anxiety disorders (31.1%) were common, as were early dystonia (19.4%) and a history of seizures (33.3%)., Conclusions: Major clinical characteristics and response to standard treatments appear comparable in 22q11.2DS-associated PD to those in idiopathic PD, although the average age at onset is earlier. Importantly, treatment of preexisting psychotic illness may delay diagnosis of PD in 22q11.DS patients. An index of suspicion and vigilance for complex comorbidity may assist in identifying patients to prioritize for genetic testing., (Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.)

Clinical molecular testing has been available for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) for over two decades yet under-recognition and diagnostic delays are common. To characterize the "diagnostic odyssey" in 22q11.2DS we studied 202 well-characterized unrelated adults, none ascertained through an affected relative. We used a regression model to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with length of time to molecular diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis compared time to diagnosis for the molecular testing era (since 1994) and earlier birth cohorts. The results showed that the median time to molecular diagnosis of the 22q11.2 deletion was 4.7 (range 0-20.7) years. Palatal and cardiac anomalies, but not developmental delay/intellectual disability, were associated with a shorter time to molecular diagnosis. Non-European ethnicity was associated with longer time to diagnosis. Inclusion of a cohort from another 22q11.2DS center increased power to observe a significantly earlier diagnosis for patients born in the molecular testing era. Nonetheless, only a minority were diagnosed in the first year of life. On average, patients were seen in seven (range 2-15) different clinical specialty areas prior to molecular diagnosis. The findings indicate that even for those born in the molecular testing era, individuals with 22q11.2DS and their families face a diagnostic odyssey that is often prolonged, particularly in the absence of typical physical congenital features or for those of non-European ancestry. The results support educational efforts to improve clinical recognition and testing, and ultimately newborn screening as a means of maximizing early detection that would provide the best opportunity to optimize outcomes., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Purpose: Patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome have a variable decrease in immunological parameters, especially regarding T cell counts. The aim of this study was to investigate immunological change over time and factors associated with immunological recovery among patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome., Methods: Patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were studied. Immunological parameters were evaluated every 6 months until patients returned to normal. Infection and vaccination histories were recorded and analyzed, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to describe resolution of immunodeficiency., Results: Forty-nine patients with an age range of 4 to 222 months were included. Twenty-five (51%) patients were female. In hypocalcemia, the odds ratio for CD4 lymphopenia was 17.03 (95%CI 1.82-159.23; p value = 0.01). Thirty patients (61.2%) exhibited decreased CD4+ T cell numbers, which returned to normal level in 18 (60%) patients. Median age of CD4+ T cell resolution was 2.5 years. T cell functions were abnormal in three patients. T cell functions returned to normal in all patients at a median age of 1.1 years. Six patients (13.5%) had abnormal serum immunoglobulin levels, with levels improving in four patients at 1.4 years of age. The most common infection was pneumonia (69.4%). BCG vaccination was administered in 47 of 49 patients at birth. Among 32 patients who had T cell defect, one patient developed BCGitis and one developed disseminated BCG., Conclusion: Immunodeficiencies identified among patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome were T cell defect (65.3%) and decreased immunoglobulin levels (12.2%). Median age of CD4 resolution was 2.5 years.

We evaluated the long-term outcomes following repair of truncus arteriosus (TA) from a single institution. We conducted a retrospective review of children (n = 171) who underwent TA repair between 1979 and 2014. Early mortality rate was 11.7% (20/171). There were 19 late deaths. Most deaths (74%, 29/39) occurred within the first year following surgery. The 1-year mortality rate in 1979-2004 was 18% (25/136) and decreased to 11% (4/35) in 2005-2014. The overall survival rate was 73.6% at 30 years. Multivariate analysis identified postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = 0.003), operative weight <2.5kg (P = 0.012), prior surgical intervention (P = 0.018), and coronary artery anomaly (P = 0.037) as risk factors for early mortality. A Cox regression model identified DiGeorge syndrome (P = 0.008) as a risk factor for late mortality. Freedom from right ventricular outflow tract reoperation was 4.6% at 20 years. Concomitant truncal valve (TV) repair or replacement was undertaken in 20 patients. Additionally, 14 patients underwent late TV repair or replacement. The overall survival rate in patients who underwent TV operation was 76.9% at 20 years. A total of 19 patients had concomitant interrupted aortic arch with a survival rate of 89.5% at 20 years. Median follow-up was 19 years (mean = 17 years, range: 1-34 years). All patients were in New York Heart Association Class I/II at last follow-up. Following repair of TA, patients had good long-term functional status but had high reoperation rates. Repair of interrupted aortic arch and TV were not risk factors for mortality. Postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, operative weight <2.5kg, prior surgical intervention, and coronary artery anomaly were risk factors for early death. DiGeorge syndrome was associated with late death, most commonly from infection., (Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To identify risk factors for PICU admission and mortality of infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly treated with thymus transplantation. We hypothesized that age at transplantation and the presence of congenital heart disease would be risk factors for emergent PICU admission, and these factors plus development of septicemia would increase morbidity and mortality., Design: Retrospective review., Setting: Academic medical-surgical PICU., Patients: All infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly treated with thymus transplantation between January 1, 1993, and July 1, 2010., Interventions: None., Measurements and Main Results: Consent was obtained from 71 infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly for thymus transplantation, and 59 infants were transplanted. Median age at transplantation was 5.0 months (range, 1.1-22.1 mo). After transplantation, 12 of 59 infants (20%) required 25 emergent PICU admissions. Seven of 12 infants (58%) survived to PICU discharge with six surviving 6 months posttransplantation. Forty-two of 59 infants (71%) transplanted had congenital heart disease, and 9 of 12 (75%) who were admitted to the PICU had congenital heart disease. In 15 of 25 admissions (60%), intubation and mechanical ventilation were necessary. There was no difference between median ventilation-free days between infants with and without congenital heart disease (33 d vs 23 d, p = 0.544). There was also no correlation between ventilation-free days and age of transplantation (R, 0.17; p = 0.423). Age at transplantation and the presence of congenital heart disease were not associated with risk for PICU admission (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.78-1.15 and odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.30-5.49, respectively) or PICU mortality (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.73-1.31 and odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.15-1.07, respectively)., Conclusions: Most transplanted infants did not require emergent PICU admission. Age at transplantation and the presence of congenital heart disease were not associated with PICU admission or mortality.

Objective: We sought to investigate the impact of 22q11.2 deletion on perioperative outcome in tetralogy of Fallot., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with tetralogy of Fallot who underwent complete surgical reconstruction at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 1995 and 2006. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot and known genotype. Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests were used for categoric and continuous variables, respectively. Regression analysis was used to determine whether deletion status predicts outcome., Results: We studied 208 subjects with tetralogy of Fallot, 164 (79%) without and 44 (20%) with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. There were no differences in sex, race, gestational age, age at diagnosis, admission weight, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Presenting anatomy, survival, complications and reoperations were also comparable between patients with and without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome had more aortopulmonary shunts preceding complete surgical repair (21% vs 7%, P = .02). This association was present after adjustment for presenting anatomy (stenosis, atresia, or absence of pulmonary valve and common atrioventricular canal) and surgical era. In addition, those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (84 vs 72 minutes, P = .02) and duration of intensive care (6 vs 4 days, P = .007)., Conclusions: Genotype affects early operative outcomes in tetralogy of Fallot resulting, in particular, in longer duration of intensive care. Future studies are required to determine factors contributing to such differences in this susceptible population., (Copyright © 2013 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (VSD) continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with significant institutional variation in therapeutic strategies. This study reports a single center experience utilizing an intensive transcatheter approach to promote pulmonary vascular growth., Methods: A retrospective analysis of 20 patients undergoing surgical and transcatheter treatment for pulmonary atresia with VSD between 2002 and 2010., Results: The median age at initial surgical palliation was 6.3 months (8 days to 2.5 years). Eleven patients (group 1) underwent initial surgical palliation without VSD closure and nine patients (group 2) underwent an initial complete repair with fenestrated or complete VSD closure. Group 1 had a smaller Nakata index (54 mm2/m2 vs. 134 mm2/m2 , P = .04) and a smaller absolute native pulmonary artery diameter (2.7 mm vs. 4.5 mm, P = .01) than group 2. Intraoperative angiography was performed in 10 cases to evaluate if early transcatheter intervention was warranted. The median follow-up during the study period was 2.3 years (1.6 months to 8.3 years). Of the 16 patients who survived the initial early postoperative period, 15 patients (94%) went on to receive surgical (n = 11) and/or interventional (n = 25) catheterization procedures. There was improvement in the mean Nakata index from the initial presurgical evaluation to the most recent catheterization data (38.4 mm2/m2 vs. 169.7 mm2/m2, P ≤ .05). To date, two of 11 (18%) patients in group 1 ultimately underwent surgical VSD closure. Overall mortality was six of 20 (30%) with four deaths in group 1 and two deaths in group 2. There were no procedural deaths., Conclusions: Combining surgical unifocalization procedures with subsequent early and intensive catheter-based pulmonary artery rehabilitation may improve vascular growth, ultimately rendering many patients suitable for fenestrated VSD closure. Risk stratification, including intraoperative exit angiography, is essential to determine the need for early transcatheter interventions., (© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Complete DiGeorge anomaly is characterized by athymia, congenital heart disease, and hypoparathyroidism. This congenital disease is fatal by age 2 years unless immune reconstitution is successful. There are multiple underlying syndromes associated with complete DiGeorge anomaly including 22q11 hemizygosity in approximately 50%, CHARGE association in approximately 25%, and diabetic embryopathy in approximately 15%. Approximately one-third of patients present with rash and lymphadenopathy associated with oligoclonal "host" T cells. This condition resembles Omenn syndrome. Immunosuppression is necessary to control the oligoclonal T cells. The results of thymus transplantation are reported for a series of 50 patients, of whom 36 survive. The survivors develop naïve T cells and a diverse T cell repertoire.

Specific types and subtypes of cardiac defects have been described in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome as well as in other genetic syndromes. The conotruncal heart defects occurring in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome include tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, truncus arteriosus, interrupted aortic arch, isolated anomalies of the aortic arch, and ventricular septal defect. These conotruncal heart defects are frequently associated in this syndrome with additional cardiovascular anomalies of the aortic arch, pulmonary arteries, infundibular septum, and semilunar valves complicating cardiac anatomy and surgical treatment. In this review we describe the surgical anatomy, the operative treatment, and the prognostic results of the cardiac defects associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. According to the current literature, in patients with tetralogy of Fallot with/without pulmonary atresia and truncus arteriosus, in spite of the complex cardiac anatomy, the presence of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome does not worsen the surgical prognosis. On the contrary in children with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and probably in those with interrupted aortic arch the association with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is probably a risk factor for the operative treatment. The complex cardiovascular anatomy in association with depressed immunological status, pulmonary vascular reactivity, neonatal hypocalcemia, bronchomalacia and broncospasm, laryngeal web, and tendency to airway bleeding must be considered at the time of diagnosis and surgical procedure. Specific diagnostic, surgical, and perioperative protocols should be applied in order to provide appropriate treatment and to reduce surgical mortality and morbidity.

The purpose of this study was to characterize a large group of infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly and to evaluate the ability of thymus transplantation to reconstitute immune function in these infants. DiGeorge anomaly is characterized by varying defects of the heart, thymus, and parathyroid glands. Complete DiGeorge anomaly refers to the subgroup that is athymic (< 1%). The characteristics of 54 subjects at presentation and results from 44 consecutive thymus transplantations are reported. Remarkably, only 52% had 22q11 hemizygosity and only 57% had congenital heart disease requiring surgery. Thirty-one percent developed an atypical phenotype with rash and lymphadenopathy. To date, 33 of 44 subjects who received a transplant survive (75%) with post-transplantation follow-up as long as 13 years. All deaths occurred within 12 months of transplantation. All 25 subjects who were tested 1 year after transplantation had developed polyclonal T-cell repertoires and proliferative responses to mitogens. Adverse events developing after transplantation included hypothyroidism in 5 subjects and enteritis in 1 subject. In summary, diagnosis of complete DiGeorge anomaly is challenging because of the variability of presentation. Thymus transplantation was well tolerated and resulted in stable immunoreconstitution in these infants.

Complete DiGeorge syndrome is a fatal condition in which infants have no detectable thymus function. The optimal treatment for the immune deficiency of complete DiGeorge syndrome has not been determined. Safety and efficacy of thymus transplantation were evaluated in 12 infants with complete DiGeorge syndrome who had less than 20-fold proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin. All but one had fewer than 50 T cells/mm3. Allogeneic postnatal cultured thymus tissue was transplanted. T-cell development was followed by flow cytometry, lymphocyte proliferation assays, and T-cell receptor Vbeta (TCRBV) repertoire evaluation. Of the 12 patients, 7 are at home 15 months to 8.5 years after transplantation. All 7 survivors developed T-cell proliferative responses to mitogens of more than 100 000 counts per minute (cpm). By one year after transplantation, 6 of 7 patients developed antigen-specific proliferative responses. The TCRBV repertoire showed initial oligoclonality that progressed to polyclonality within a year. B-cell function developed in all 3 patients tested after 2 years. Deaths were associated with underlying congenital problems. Risk factors for death included tracheostomy, long-term mechanical ventilation, and cytomegalovirus infection. Adverse events in the first 3 months after transplantation included eosinophilia, rash, lymphadenopathy, development of CD4-CD8- peripheral T cells, elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and possible pulmonary inflammation. Adverse events related to the immune system occurring more than 3 months after transplantation included thrombocytopenia in one patient and hypothyroidism and alopecia in one other patient. Thymic transplantation is efficacious, well tolerated, and should be considered as treatment for infants with complete DiGeorge syndrome.

The DiGeorge syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality of absent of hypoplastic thymus and parathyroid glands. Thirty neonates who had cardiac lesions and the DiGeorge syndrome are reviewed. The early mortality for 10 neonates undergoing palliative procedures was 80%. Seventy-five percent of the deaths were secondary to sepsis. Twenty neonates did not undergo palliative procedures. In this group, early mortality was 60% and late mortality was 65%. Sixty percent of the deaths in this group were associated with sepsis, with cardiac failure responsible for the remaining deaths. Survival in both groups has improved with appropriate treatment of the immunological and metabolic consequences of the DiGeorge syndrome.