Molecular genetic screening of full-term small for gestational age

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical application of genomic screening in newborns small for gestational age (SGA), hoping to provide an efficient technique for early discovery of neonatal diseases, which is necessary to elevate survival rates and the quality of life in infants. METHODS: Totally 93 full-term SGA newborns were assessed. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples were obtained at 72 h after birth, and tandem mass spectrometry (TMS) and Angel Care genomic screening (GS, using Targeted next generation sequencing) were carried out. RESULTS: All 93 subjects were examined by Angel Care GS and TMS. No children showing inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) were detected by TMS, while 2 pediatric cases (2.15%, 2/93) were confirmed as thyroid dyshormonogenesis 6 (TDH6) by Angel Care GS. Additionally, 45 pediatric cases (48.4%) had one or more variants conferring a carrier status for recessive childhood-onset disorders, with 31 genes and 42 variants associated with 26 diseases. The top three gene-related diseases with carrier status were autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB), abnormal thyroid hormone and Krabbe disease. CONCLUSIONS: SGA is tightly associated with genetic variation. Molecular Genetic Screening allows early detection of congenital hypothyroidism and may be a potent genomic sequencing technique for screening newborns.