Clinical Care at the Genomic Interface: Current Genetic Issues in Neonatal Nursing

Although only one in 33 infants is born with a genetic condition, neonatal nurses have a growing responsibility to integrate genetic competency into their clinical practice. This review article outlines the specific aspects of assessment, genetic screening and testing, and communication of genetic information between provider and patient in both the newborn and pregnancy period. Essential nursing competencies are introduced as a framework for building a skill and knowledge set in clinical genetics as it applies to neonatal care. The potential development of inquiry and research oriented practice problems are also highlighted. The exponential growth of human genetic and genomic information drives the need for neonatal nursing to embrace the interface of clinical care and genetic issues.