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Callahan KP, Clayton EW, Lemke AA, Chaudhari BP, Wenger TL, Lyle ANJ, Brothers KB. Ethical and Legal Issues Surrounding Genetic Testing in the NICU. Neoreviews 2024; 25:e127-e138. [PMID: 38425196 PMCID: PMC10998684 DOI: 10.1542/neo.25-3-e127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Clinicians practicing in a modern NICU are noticing an increase in the proportion of patients who undergo genetic testing as well as changes in the types of genetic testing patients receive. These trends are not surprising given the increasing recognition of the genetic causes of neonatal illness and recent advances in genetic technology. Yet, the expansion of genetic testing in the NICU also raises a number of ethical questions. In this article, we will review the ethical issues raised by genetic testing, with a focus on the practical implications for neonatologists. First, we outline the complexities of measuring benefit, or utility, for neonatal genetic testing. Next, we discuss potential harms such as inequity, unexpected findings, disability biases, and legal risks. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of ethical issues related to consent for genetic testing. Throughout this article, we highlight solutions to challenges toward the ultimate goal of minimizing harms and maximizing the substantial potential benefits of genetic medicine in the NICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine P. Callahan
- Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ellen W. Clayton
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and School of Law, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Amy A. Lemke
- Norton Children’s Research Institute Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Bimal P. Chaudhari
- Divisions of Neonatology, Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Tara L. Wenger
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Allison N. J. Lyle
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
| | - Kyle B. Brothers
- Norton Children’s Research Institute Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
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D'Gama AM, Hills S, Douglas J, Young V, Genetti CA, Wojcik MH, Feldman HA, Yu TW, G Parker M, Agrawal PB. Implementation of rapid genomic sequencing in safety-net neonatal intensive care units: protocol for the VIrtual GenOme CenteR (VIGOR) proof-of-concept study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080529. [PMID: 38320840 PMCID: PMC10859977 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rapid genomic sequencing (rGS) in critically ill infants with suspected genetic disorders has high diagnostic and clinical utility. However, rGS has primarily been available at large referral centres with the resources and expertise to offer state-of-the-art genomic care. Critically ill infants from racial and ethnic minority and/or low-income populations disproportionately receive care in safety-net and/or community settings lacking access to state-of-the-art genomic care, contributing to unacceptable health equity gaps. VIrtual GenOme CenteR is a 'proof-of-concept' implementation science study of an innovative delivery model for genomic care in safety-net neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). METHODS AND ANALYSIS We developed a virtual genome centre at a referral centre to remotely support safety-net NICU sites predominantly serving racial and ethnic minority and/or low-income populations and have limited to no access to rGS. Neonatal providers at each site receive basic education about genomic medicine from the study team and identify eligible infants. The study team enrols eligible infants (goal n of 250) and their parents and follows families for 12 months. Enrolled infants receive rGS, the study team creates clinical interpretive reports to guide neonatal providers on interpreting results, and neonatal providers return results to families. Data is collected via (1) medical record abstraction, (2) surveys, interviews and focus groups with neonatal providers and (3) surveys and interviews with families. We aim to examine comprehensive implementation outcomes based on the Proctor Implementation Framework using a mixed methods approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study is approved by the institutional review board of Boston Children's Hospital (IRB-P00040496) and participating sites. Participating families are required to provide electronic written informed consent and neonatal provider consent is implied through the completion of surveys. The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and data will be made accessible per National Institutes of Health (NIH) policies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05205356/clinicaltrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa M D'Gama
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sonia Hills
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jessica Douglas
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vanessa Young
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Casie A Genetti
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Monica H Wojcik
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Henry A Feldman
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy W Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Pankaj B Agrawal
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Jackson Health System, Holtz Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
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D'Gama AM, Agrawal PB. Genomic medicine in neonatal care: progress and challenges. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:1357-1363. [PMID: 37789085 PMCID: PMC10689757 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During the neonatal period, many genetic disorders present and contribute to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Genomic medicine-the use of genomic information in clinical care- has the potential to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period and improve outcomes for this population. Diagnostic genomic testing for symptomatic newborns, especially rapid testing, has been shown to be feasible and have diagnostic and clinical utility, particularly in the short-term. Ongoing studies are assessing the feasibility and utility, including personal utility, of implementation in diverse populations. Genomic screening for asymptomatic newborns has also been studied, and the acceptability and feasibility of such an approach remains an active area of investigation. Emerging precision therapies, with examples even at the "n-of-1" level, highlight the promise of precision diagnostics to lead to early intervention and improve outcomes. To sustainably implement genomic medicine in neonatal care in an ethical, effective, and equitable manner, we need to ensure access to genetics and genomics knowledge, access to genomic tests, which is currently limited by payors, feasible processes for ordering these tests, and access to follow up in the clinical and research realms. Future studies will provide further insight into enablers and barriers to optimize implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa M D'Gama
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pankaj B Agrawal
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Holtz Children's Hospital, Jackson Health System, Miami, FL, USA.
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