In a paper published this week in the American Journal of Human Genetics, collaborators led by the Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM) formally spelled out plans to improve detection and treatment of rare hereditary pediatric diseases through rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS).
Two studies published in the American Journal of Human Genetics show the potential for genomic screening in newborns to address high rates of infant hospitalization and mortality in the United States and reported a 97 percent reduction in false positives based on a method derived from human evolution.
PRECISION MEDICINE ONLINE: Newborn genome sequencing projects focusing on seemingly healthy babies shortly after birth are forging ahead around the world, but their approaches differ according to each country's population structure, disease prevalence, healthcare system, treatment availability, and more.
PATIENT WORTHY: Catherine Nester spoke with Patient Worthy about the importance of newborn screening, the challenges of diagnostic delays, and how Inozyme is working to transform the treatment landscape for ENPP1 Deficiency and ABCC6 Deficiency, also known as Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI) types 1 and 2, respectively.
FIERCE PHARMA: In part two of this series, we turn our attention to rWGS and the pharmaceutical industry – specifically, the great potential of rWGS in drug development and patient access, and the important role pharma plays in advancing this promising technology.
FIERCE Healthcare: The rare disease journey can be long and difficult. rWGS could offer newborns a greater chance of successful diagnosis and intervention at birth.
