Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Genetic Counselling for Maternally Inherited Mitochondrial Disorders

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Patrick Yu Wai Man

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland The aim of this review was to provide an evidence-based approach to frequently asked questions relating to the risk of transmitting a maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder (MID). We do not address disorders linked with disturbed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance, causing mtDNA depletion or multiple mtDNA deletions, as these are autosomally inherited. The review addresses questions regarding prognosis, recurrence risks and the strategies available to prevent disease transmission. The clinical and genetic complexity of maternally inherited MIDs represent a major challenge for patients, their relatives and health professionals. Since many of the genetic and pathophysiological aspects of MIDs remain unknown, counselling of affected patients and at-risk family members remains difficult. MtDNA mutations are maternally transmitted or, more rarely, they are sporadic, occurring de novo (~25%). Females carrying homoplasmic mtDNA mutations will transmit the mutant species to all of their offspring, who may or may not exhibit a similar phenotype depending on modifying, secondary factors. Females carrying heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations will transmit a variable amount of mutant mtDNA to their offspring, which can result in considerable phenotypic heterogeneity among siblings. The majority of mtDNA rearrangements, such as single large-scale deletions, are sporadic, but there is a small risk of recurrence (~4%) among the offspring of affected women. The range and suitability of reproductive choices for prospective mothers is a complex area of mitochondrial medicine that needs to be managed by experienced healthcare professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. Genetic counselling is facilitated by the identification of the underlying causative genetic defect. To provide more precise genetic counselling, further research is needed to clarify the secondary factors that account for the variable penetrance and the often marked differential expressivity of pathogenic mtDNA mutations both within and between families.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Poulton J, Finsterer J, Yu-Wai-Man P

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Molecular Diagnosis and Therapy

Year: 2017

Volume: 21

Issue: 4

Pages: 419-429

Print publication date: 01/08/2017

Online publication date: 23/05/2017

Acceptance date: 02/04/2016

ISSN (print): 1177-1062

ISSN (electronic): 1179-2000

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40291-017-0279-7

DOI: 10.1007/s40291-017-0279-7


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share