Chiara Cocco

Dr. Chiara Cocco


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GMGiancarlo Mancuso
Giancarlo Mancuso
LSLaura Serventi
Laura Serventi
CCChiara Cocco
Chiara Cocco
Francesco LaiFrancesco Lai
Francesco Lai
CSConsolata Soddu
Consolata Soddu
SGSabrina Giglio
Sabrina Giglio
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by impairments in cognition, motor function, behaviour, and social interaction. Their genetic basis is highly diverse, and next-generation sequencing has become central to improving diagnostic yield. We retrospectively analysed 94 paediatric patients (0–18 years) with NDDs referred to the Paediatric and Rare Diseases Clinic, Microcitemico Hospital “A. Cao,” between January 2019 and July 2024. Each patient underwent detailed clinical evaluation and whole-exome sequencing (WES). Variants were prioritised according to ACMG guidelines. Gene burden analysis of rare predicted loss-of-function variants was performed using the Cohort Allelic Sums Test to detect enrichment in NDD cases relative to controls. WES identified 12 pathogenic variants, 16 likely pathogenic variants, and 10 variants of uncertain significance. Autosomal dominant disorders were the most frequent (n = 35 patients), while autosomal recessive and X-linked dominant conditions were identified in a single case each. The findings of this study further highlight the importance of WES in identifying novel genetic variants and in providing explanations for previously unexplained NDD cases. Moreover, the Cohort Allelic Sums Test (CAST) demonstrated that rare variants are enriched in genes implicated in neuronal development in affected individuals.