Ultra-rapid genetic testing can transform the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill children with suspected genetic conditions, according to an Australian Genomics study.
The study tested 108 critically ill babies and children with genetic conditions admitted to intensive care units in 12 Australian hospitals.
researchers involved in the study received genomic test results within less than five days, compared to traditional tests which can take three to six months.
As a result of using the new procedure, they were able to make a diagnosis in 51 per cent of cases and change clinical care for 75 per cent of children in ICU.
UQ’s said ultra-rapid genomic results in ICU were a game changer for children where a genetic condition is suspected.
“Thanks to now genomic diagnostics, this rapid turnaround time provides more certainty to families and doctors who previously often had to wait months for results,” Dr Schlapbach said.
“It enables parents to better understand their child’s illness, and how to manage the condition and plan for the future.
“For a number of children, timely diagnosis permits precision treatments which otherwise may have been missed.”
Improved technology and treatment capacity enables doctors to better respond to urgent timeframes associated with children in intensive care.
Associate Professor Luregn Schlapbach said ultra-rapid testing has enabled sequencing of the entire genome of a patient.
“While genomic testing is currently provided within research studies, these results are very encouraging in view of the need for wider implementation in clinical practice,” he said.
The next phase of the study will test more than 240 critically ill children across Australia over three years using whole genome sequencing as a first-tier test in diagnosing rare diseases, as well as increasing rapid testing in all states and territories.
The Acute Care Genomics study was published in JAMA (). The study received new funding by a $5 million grant under the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Associate Professor Luregn Schlapbach has received support from the Children’s Hospital Foundation for his projects.
Australian Genomics is an independent research collaboration formed in 2016 to build evidence and inform policy for the integration of genomics into mainstream healthcare. It represents 80 organisations including hospitals, research institutes, universities, sequencing laboratories and community groups across Australia, and is funded by the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund.
