Failure to thrive as presentation in a patient with 22q11.2 microdeletion

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of chromosome 22q11, including deletions and translocations, have been described in association with different birth defects and malformations occurring in many combinations and degrees of severity. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of an 8 month-old infant with no dysmorphic signs who showed progressive postnatal growth failure and no chronic systemic diseases. We found a 22q11.2 microdeletion, inherited from the mother, suggesting the diagnosis of DiGeorge syndrome. The patient had an isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency and a significant increase in linear growth during the first and the second year of GH therapy, and a recovery of weight was shown. CONCLUSIONS: Sometimes, in infants with growth failure a genetic analysis is strongly suggested, since chromosomal abnormalities may be present.