Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
07:57
A High-Throughput Comet Assay Approach for Assessing Cellular DNA Damage
Published on: May 10, 2022
6.2K
DNA Damage Analysis in Children with Non-syndromic Developmental Delay by Comet Assay
Surraj Susai1, Parkash Chand2, Vishnu Bhat Ballambattu3
1Junior Resident, Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research , Puducherry, India .
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR
|July 21, 2016
Summary
Children with non-syndromic developmental delay exhibit significantly higher DNA damage compared to healthy children. This study utilized the comet assay to demonstrate increased DNA damage in affected children, suggesting a potential link.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Developmental delays in children are frequently non-syndromic.
- A suspected, yet unproven, link exists between these delays and underlying DNA damage.
- This study investigates DNA damage in non-syndromic developmental delay.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess DNA damage levels in children with non-syndromic developmental delay.
- To compare DNA damage in these children against age- and sex-matched controls.
- To establish a potential etiological connection between DNA damage and developmental delay.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- The alkaline comet assay (Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis) was performed on lymphocytes from peripheral blood.
- Comet parameters were quantified using Image J software and analyzed with SPSS version 20.
Main Results:
- Children with non-syndromic developmental delay showed significantly increased mean comet tail length (20.77±7.659μm) compared to controls (8.97±4.398μm) (p<0.001).
- Statistically significant differences (p<0.001) were also observed in total comet length and % DNA in tail.
- These findings indicate elevated DNA damage in the study group.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence of heightened DNA damage in children diagnosed with non-syndromic developmental delay.
- This suggests DNA damage may play a role in the etiology of non-syndromic developmental delay.
- Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these findings.
