Association of behavioural and social–communicative profiles in children with 16p11.2 copy number variants: a multi‐site study

• Published in: Journal of intellectual disability research 2024-08, Vol.68 (8), p.969-984
• Main Authors: Verbesselt, J., Walsh, L. K., Mitchel, M. W., Taylor, C. M., Finucane, B. M., Breckpot, J., Zink, I., Swillen, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 16p11.2 deletion syndrome; 16p11.2 duplication; Adolescent; Autistic Disorder; autistic traits; Behavior problems; behavioural phenotype; Child; Children; Chromosome Deletion; Chromosome Disorders; Chromosome Duplication; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 - genetics; communication; Comorbidity; Confounding factors; copy number variants; Correlation; Correlation analysis; DNA Copy Number Variations; Female; Humans; Intellectual Disability - genetics; Intelligence tests; Language Impairments; Male; Recurrent; Responsiveness; Risk behavior; Smith-Magenis Syndrome - genetics; Social Behavior; Social Skills; Variants
• ISSN: 0964-2633; 1365-2788; 1365-2788
• DOI: 10.1111/jir.13141

Background Despite the established knowledge that recurrent copy number variants (CNVs) at the 16p11.2 locus BP4–BP5 confer risk for behavioural and language difficulties, limited research has been conducted on the association between behavioural and social–communicative profiles. The current study aims to further delineate the prevalence, nature and severity of, and the association between, behavioural and social–communicative features of school‐aged children with 16p11.2 deletion syndrome (16p11.2DS) and 16p11.2 duplication (16p11.2Dup). Methods A total of 68 individuals (n = 47 16p11.2DS and n = 21 16p11.2Dup) aged 6–17 years participated. Standardised intelligence tests were administered, and behavioural and social–communicative skills were assessed by standardised questionnaires. Scores of both groups were compared with population norms and across CNVs. The influence of confounding factors was investigated, and correlation analyses were performed. Results Compared with the normative sample, children with 16p11.2DS showed high rates of social responsiveness (67%) and communicative problems (69%), while approximately half (52%) of the patients displayed behavioural problems. Children with 16p11.2Dup demonstrated even higher rates of social–communicative problems (80–90%) with statistically significantly more externalising and overall behavioural challenges (89%). In both CNV groups, there was a strong positive correlation between behavioural and social–communicative skills. Conclusions School‐aged children with 16p11.2 CNVs show high rates of behavioural, social responsiveness and communicative problems compared with the normative sample. These findings point to the high prevalence of autistic traits and diagnoses in these CNV populations. Moreover, there is a high comorbidity between behavioural and social–communicative problems. Patients with difficulties in both domains are vulnerable and need closer clinical follow‐up and care.