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. 2016 Jan;137 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S30-5.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3731G.

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Parental Interest in Genomic Sequencing of Newborns

Susan E Waisbren  1 , Caroline M Weipert  2 , Rebecca C Walsh  2 , Carter R Petty  3 , Robert C Green  4
Affiliations

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Parental Interest in Genomic Sequencing of Newborns

Susan E Waisbren et al. Pediatrics. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Background: When parents of newborns are presented with the hypothetical possibility of obtaining genomic sequencing (GS) for their newborn infants immediately after birth, they express substantial interest. This study examined associations between expressed interest in GS and demographic and psychosocial variables some months after birth.

Methods: A total of 1096 parents were enrolled in a study on GS of newborns shortly after the birth of their infants, before discharge from the postpartum floor. Of these parents, 663 (60.5%) completed a follow-up survey 2 to 28 months later that queried their interest in GS for their infant and whether they received worrisome health information during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. They were also administered the Parenting Stress Index. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with interest in GS of newborns.

Results: Of parents, 76.1% indicated at least some interest in GS. A 10-point increase on the Parenting Stress Index was associated with an increase in the odds of having some interest in GS (odds ratio: 1.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.32). Age, gender, race, ethnicity, marital status, education, anxiety, and whether this was the first biological child were not significantly associated with interest in GS. Receiving worrisome health information was associated with greater interest in GS but this did not reach significance (odds ratio: 1.42; 95% confidence interval: 0.95-2.12).

Conclusions: This hypothetical survey study suggests that previous experiences leading to worrisome health information and parenting stress need to be considered when GS is offered. Additional research, currently underway, is exploring factors associated with real-life parental choices around whether to obtain GS of their newborns.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr Green has received compensation for advisory services or speaking from Invitae, Prudential, Arivale, Illumina, AIA, Helix, and Roche; the other authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Concerns arising from conventional screening or clinical issues (N = 662). CVS, chorionic villus sampling. [medium]
FIGURE 1
Concerns arising from conventional screening or clinical issues (N = 662). CVS, chorionic villus sampling. [medium]
FIGURE 2. Percentage of parents interested in GS. [medium]
FIGURE 2
Percentage of parents interested in GS. [medium]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Waisbren SE, Bäck DK, Liu C, et al. . Parents are interested in newborn genomic testing during the early postpartum period. Genet Med. 2015;17(6):501–504 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Abidin RR. Parenting Stress Index. 3rd ed. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources; 1995

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