Should We Report 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 Deletions and Duplications in the Prenatal Setting?

Copy number variations of the 15q11.2 region at breakpoints 1-2 (BP1-BP2) have been associated with variable phenotypes and low penetrance. Detection of such variations in the prenatal setting can result in significant parental anxiety. The clinical significance of pre- and postnatally detected 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 deletions and duplications was assessed. Of 11,004 chromosomal microarray tests performed in a single referral lab (7596 prenatal, 3408 postnatal), deletions were detected in 66 cases: 39 in prenatal tests (0.51%) and 27 in postnatal tests (0.79%). Duplications were detected in 94 cases: 62 prenatal tests (0.82%) and 32 postnatal tests (0.94%). The prevalence of deletions and duplications among clinically indicated prenatal tests (0.57% and 0.9%, respectively) did not differ significantly in comparison to unindicated tests (0.49% and 0.78%, respectively). The prevalence of deletions and duplications among postnatal tests performed for clinical indications was similar to the prevalence in healthy individuals (0.73% and 1% vs. 0.98% and 0.74%, respectively). The calculated penetrance of deletions and duplications over the background risk was 2.18% and 1.16%, respectively. We conclude that the pathogenicity of 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 deletions and duplications is low. Opting out the report of these copy number variations to both clinicians and couples should be considered.