KC Reporter

Clinicians are being urged to prioritize genetic testing for young children exhibiting signs of intellectual disability or developmental delays, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The report aims to enhance care and outcomes for families by recommending genome or exome sequencing as primary diagnostic tests. Chromosome microarray analysis is also recommended as a complementary method.

The report, published in Pediatrics, emphasizes that these tools can identify a wide range of genetic conditions that might otherwise remain undiagnosed or be discovered only after years of inconclusive testing. Neurodevelopmental disorders affect about 1 in 6 children in the United States, but diagnosing these conditions often takes years. The AAP's guidance seeks to expedite this process by encouraging comprehensive testing earlier.

Tomi Pastinen, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine at Children's Mercy Kansas City in Missouri, noted that genomic testing could significantly influence medical decisions. "That could be family planning guidance or actual medical management of the child," Pastinen said.

The AAP outlines two paths to diagnosis: one driven by specific physical or behavioral signs and another "hypothesis-free" approach for less specific symptoms. This guidance provides pediatricians with a clearer framework for initiating testing as they are often the first point of contact for concerned parents.

For more details on this development, read the full article via Medscape.