Dealing with uncertain results from chromosomal microarray and exome sequencing in the prenatal setting: An international cross-sectional study with healthcare professionals

Celine Lewis; Jennifer Hammond; Jasmijn E. Klapwijk; Eleanor Harding; Stina Lou; Ida Vogel; Emma J. Szepe; Lisa Hui; Charlotta Ingvoldstad-Malmgren; Maria J. Soller; Kelly E. Ormond; Mahesh Choolani; Melissa Hill; Sam Riedijk

Objectives

To conduct qualitative interviews with healthcare providers working in different countries to understand their experiences of dealing with uncertain results from prenatal chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) and exome sequencing (ES). 

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 31 healthcare providers who report or return prenatal CMA and/or ES results (clinicians, genetic counsellors and clinical scientists) in six countries with differing healthcare systems; Australia (4), Denmark (5), Netherlands (6), Singapore (4), Sweden (6) and United Kingdom (6). The topic guide explored the main sources of uncertainty and their management. 

Results

There was variation in reporting practices both between and across countries for variants of uncertain significance, however, there was broad agreement on reporting practices for incidental findings. There was also variation in who decides what results are reported (clinical scientists or clinicians). Technical limitations and lack of knowledge (to classify variants and of prenatal phenotypes) were significant challenges, as were turnaround times and lack of guidelines. 

Conclusion

Health professionals around the globe are dealing with similar sources of uncertainty, but managing them in different ways, Continued dialogue with international colleagues on ways of managing uncertain results is important to compare and contrast the benefits and limitations of the different approaches.

Link til projektet bag publikationen

Dealing with uncertain results from chromosomal microarray and exome sequencing in the prenatal setting: An international cross-sectional study with healthcare professionals

Udgivelsesform Videnskabelige artikler
År 2021
Udgiver Prenatal Diagnosis

Kontaktperson

Stina Lou

Stina Lou

+45 7841 4364

stisoe@rm.dk

Forfattere

Stina Lou