Immunological and clinical characteristics in a cohort of Colombian pediatric patients with 22q11.2 deletion.

Abstract

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder associated with a variety of clinical manifestations, including congenital heart disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, hypocalcemia, and immunological deficiencies. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and immunological features of patients with 22qDS in a cohort from Colombia. We conducted a retrospective study over a 3-year period, including 40 patients with confirmed 22qDS. Demographic, clinical, and immunological data were collected from medical records. The cohort had a median age of 3 years, with a balanced sex distribution. Heart defects were present in 75% of patients, followed by ear and craniofacial abnormalities (50%) and language disorders (45%). Immunological work-up revealed low T cell subsets in 42% of patients, with a decrease in T cell lymphopenia observed with age. Humoral deficiencies were also common, with 20% of patients exhibiting selective IgM deficiency and 17% presenting with hypogammaglobulinemia. Recurrent infections were observed in 48% of patients, particularly pneumonia and otitis. Vaccine responses to protein-based antigens and polysaccharides were frequently impaired. The findings highlight the clinical and immunological heterogeneity of 22qDS in this Latin American cohort. Multidisciplinary care, early diagnosis, and immunological management are essential for improving outcomes in these patients.