Deletion of chromosomal regions 13q21 detected by genetic tests in a boy with special learning disorder: A case report

Abstract

Specific learning disorder (SLD) is defined as significant and persistent learning difficulties leading to unexpected academic underachievement in terms of the subjectÂ’s age and cognitive ability, and the level of education provided. SLD has a biological basis determined by genetic and environmental factors. Neurobiological hypotheses have been proposed to account for SLD, and genetic factors have been proved to have a major effect on the etiology. Findings of specific language impairment (SLI), such as speech delay, are frequently seen in early childhood in SLD cases. Recent studies of the etiology of SLI have also focused on genetic causes and have suggested a genetic inheritance. We report the case of a nine-year-old SLD patient with 13q21 deletion, who was a prior diagnosed with language impairment in early childhood. The case is discussed in the light of the current literature.