Objective: To explore the genetic basis of a child with holoprosencephaly.
Methods: Genomic DNA of the child was extracted and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Suspected variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of her family members.
Results: Cranial MRI suggested lobulated holoprosencephaly with partial absence of corpus callosum. Genetic testing revealed that she has carried a heterozygous c.517C>G (p.His173Asp) variant of the SIX3 gene, for which both of her parents were of wild type. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, the c.517C>G variant of SIX3 gene was predicted to be pathogenic (PS2+PM1+PM2+PM5+PP3).
Conclusion: The SIX3 gene c.517C>G variant probably underlay the multiple malformations in this child. Above finding has enabled her definite diagnosis.