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Published on: January 16, 2019
The Multifaced Perspectives of Genetic Testing in Pediatric Cardiomyopathies and Channelopathies
Nicoleta-Monica Popa-Fotea1,2, Cosmin Cojocaru1, Alexandru Scafa-Udriste1,2
1Department of Cardiology, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Floreasca Street 8, 014461 Bucharest, Romania.
Insights
Diagnosing pediatric cardiomyopathies (CMPs) and channelopathies (CNPs) often requires genetic testing. This review synthesizes guidelines and psychosocial factors for comprehensive genetic assessment in children.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric cardiomyopathies (CMPs) and channelopathies (CNPs) are significant causes of mortality in children.
- Conventional diagnostic methods often fall short, necessitating advanced testing for timely intervention.
- Genetic testing offers insights into the underlying causes of these complex pediatric heart conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive genetic assessment framework for pediatric CMPs and CNPs.
- To integrate current European and American guideline recommendations for genetic evaluation.
- To address the unique challenges and psychosocial aspects of genetic diagnosis in pediatric heart diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current guidelines from European and American bodies.
- Analysis of the diverse etiologies and limited randomized studies in pediatric CMPs and CNPs.
- Inclusion of psychosocial perspectives in the genetic assessment strategy.
Main Results:
- Genetic testing is crucial but requires careful consideration due to varied guidelines and limited evidence.
- The complexity of pediatric CMPs and CNPs necessitates a cautious approach to genetic testing.
- Integrating psychosocial factors is essential for a holistic genetic diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive genetic assessment, incorporating guidelines and psychosocial factors, is vital for pediatric CMPs and CNPs.
- Standardized recommendations for genetic evaluation timing and methodology are needed.
- Addressing the psychological impact is key to effective genetic diagnosis and management in pediatric heart conditions.
Abstract:
Pediatric inherited cardiomyopathies (CMPs) and channelopathies (CNPs) remain important causes of death in this population, therefore, there is a need for prompt diagnosis and tailored treatment. Conventional evaluation fails to establish the diagnosis of pediatric CMPs and CNPs in a significant proportion, prompting further, more complex testing to make a diagnosis that could influence the implementation of lifesaving strategies. Genetic testing in CMPs and CNPs may help unveil the underlying cause, but needs to be carried out with caution given the lack of uniform recommendations in guidelines about the precise time to start the genetic evaluation or the type of targeted testing or whole-genome sequencing. A very diverse etiology and the scarce number of randomized studies of pediatric CMPs and CNPs make genetic testing of these maladies far more particular than their adult counterpart. The genetic diagnosis is even more puzzling if the psychological impact point of view is taken into account. This review aims to put together different perspectives, state-of-the art recommendations-synthetizing the major indications from European and American guidelines-and psychosocial outlooks to construct a comprehensive genetic assessment of pediatric CMPs and CNPs.
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