New Guidance Advises General Pediatricians On Testing For Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Pediatricians caring for children with potential global developmental delay or intellectual disability (GDD/ID) can use two approaches to identify those with genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, according to new guidance published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Genetic neurodevelopmental disorders are common in the pediatric population, according to the guidance, making it vital to have an approach for initial evaluations. Establishing a genetic diagnosis early provides multiple benefits, the guidance stated.

The guidance recommended that if a child has physical features suggestive of a specific diagnosis of a syndromic form of GDD/ID, then a pediatrician could use a phenotype . . .