[GENETIC PANELS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF RARE CONGENITAL HEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS]

Genetic diagnosis of congenital hematological disorders is complicated by the overlap of the clinical and laboratory presentation across different diseases and the large number of genes involved in each syndrome. Nonetheless, an accurate genetic diagnosis is essential for directing the follow-up and treatment program of the patients, as well as for identifying asymptomatic family members, choosing a non-affected related donor for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and for offering a prenatal diagnosis. In recent years, a novel method of targeted next generation sequencing using gene panels was developed. In our laboratory, gene panels were incorporated for the diagnosis of congenital hematological disorders, including inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and rare anemias, and for the detection of somatic variant in the bone marrow. It is of utmost importance that an in-depth analysis will include a correlation of the genetic variants with the clinical and laboratory presentation and with the family history. Here, we demonstrate the importance of performing a timely genetic diagnosis in patients with congenital hematological disorders.