A 37-kb Deletion in Region 16p13.3 in an Infant with Osteopetrosis and Congenital Diarrhea Including the CLCN7 and PERCC1 Genes.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital diarrhea presents a diagnostic challenge in cases where standard assessments are inconclusive.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a female infant with thrombocytopenia, increased bone density, and pale optic disc symptoms, suggestive of osteopetrosis. However, she also exhibited noninfectious, blood- and mucus-free diarrhea, not accounted for by osteopetrosis. Genetic testing, including clinical exome sequencing and chromosomal microarray analysis, revealed a homozygous 39-kb deletion on chromosome 16p13.3. This deletion spanned the CLCN7 gene associated with osteopetrosis and the PERCC1 gene implicated in congenital diarrhea.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates the importance of considering 16p13.3 deletions when confronted with the dual presentation of congenital diarrhea and osteopetrosis, expanding the diagnostic considerations for similar clinical presentations.