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Testing the Complex Child: CGH Array, WES, Clinical Exome, WGS

  • Genetics (A Hamosh, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review was to compare existing strategies for evaluation of complex paediatric patients with newer techniques. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array is the currently accepted first tier genetic test in the evaluation of a pediatric patient with complex physical and developmental anomalies. CGH provides an answer in only 15–20 % cases, and further genetic testing is required in the majority of cases. This has previously involved sequential single-gene tests, with low yield, significant costs and delay in diagnosis.

Summary of Recent Findings

New genetic techniques allowing massively parallel sequencing of multiple genes are becoming a part of medical practice as they provide a reduction in cost and time. Current medical practice supports the use of limited genomic testing—‘gene panels’ and ‘clinical exomes’, as a second tier approach after CGH array testing. These approaches have already been shown to improve the diagnostic yield providing an answer for an additional 25 % of patients. Ultimately, it is likely that whole genome sequencing as a single genomic test could replace CGH array and more restricted genomic tests, as research experience is translated into medical practice. Several factors need to be overcome to make this a reality to ensure equitable access to a reliable test with appropriate diagnostic interpretation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Mailbag 7103, Liverpool BC, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Amali Mallawaarachchi

  2. Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia

    Amali Mallawaarachchi

  3. Department of Clinical Genetics, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia

    Felicity Collins

  4. Disciplines of Paediatrics and Child Health and Genomic Medicine, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Felicity Collins

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  1. Amali Mallawaarachchi
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Correspondence to Felicity Collins.

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Amali Mallawaarachchi and Felicity Collins declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Genetics.

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Mallawaarachchi, A., Collins, F. Testing the Complex Child: CGH Array, WES, Clinical Exome, WGS. Curr Pediatr Rep 4, 155–163 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-016-0111-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-016-0111-6

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