Application of Genetic Deafness Gene Chip for Detection of Gene Mutation of Deafness in Pregnant Women

ObjectiveThe study is to identify the carrier rate of common deafness mutation in Chinese pregnant women via detecting deafness gene mutations with gene chip.MethodsThe pregnant women in obstetric clinic without hearing impairment and hearing disorders family history were selected. The informed consent was signed. Peripheral blood was taken to extract genomic DNA. Application of genetic deafness gene chip for detecting 9 mutational hot spot of the most common 4 Chinese deafness genes, namely GJB2 (35delG, 176del16bp, 235delC, 299delAT), GJB3 (C538T) ,SLC26A4 ( IVS72A>G, A2168G) and mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA (A1555G, C1494T) . Further genetic testing were provided to the spouses and newborns of the screened carriers.ResultsPeripheral blood of 430 pregnant women were detected, detection of deafness gene mutation carriers in 24 cases(4.2%), including 13 cases of the GJB2 heterozygous mutation, 3 cases of SLC26A4 heterozygous mutation, 1 cases of GJB3 heterozygous mutation, and 1 case of mitochondrial 12S rRNA mutation. 18 spouses and 17 newborns took further genetic tests, and 6 newborns inherited the mutation from their mother.ConclusionThe common deafness genes mutation has a high carrier rate in pregnant women group, 235delC and IVS7-2A>G heterozygous mutations are common.