Ensuring best practice in genomics education and evaluation: reporting item standards for education and its evaluation in genomics (RISE2 Genomics).

PURPOSE: Widespread, quality genomics education for health professionals is required to create a competent genomic workforce. A lack of standards for reporting genomics education and evaluation limits the evidence base for replication and comparison. We therefore undertook a consensus process to develop a recommended minimum set of information to support consistent reporting of design, development, delivery, and evaluation of genomics education interventions. METHODS: Draft standards were derived from literature (25 items from 21 publications). Thirty-six international experts were purposively recruited for three rounds of a modified Delphi process to reach consensus on relevance, clarity, comprehensiveness, utility, and design. RESULTS: The final standards include 18 items relating to development and delivery of genomics education interventions, 12 relating to evaluation, and 1 on stakeholder engagement. CONCLUSION: These Reporting Item Standards for Education and its Evaluation in Genomics (RISE2 Genomics) are intended to be widely applicable across settings and health professions. Their use by those involved in reporting genomics education interventions and evaluation, as well as adoption by journals and policy makers as the expected standard, will support greater transparency, consistency, and comprehensiveness of reporting. Consequently, the genomics education evidence base will be more robust, enabling high-quality education and evaluation across diverse settings.

Prenatally detected de novo apparently balanced chromosomal rearrangements: the effect on maternal worry, family functioning and intent of disclosure.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of prenatal diagnosis of de novo apparently balanced chromosome rearrangements (ABCRs) on maternal stress, family functioning and maternal plans of disclosure of genetic information to their child. METHODS: All liveborn children with prenatally detected de novo ABCRs in two Australian states over a 10-year period (1994-2003) were retrospectively ascertained. Of 39 eligible cases, 16 (41%) participated in the study. Mothers of these children completed a questionnaire using standardized measures to assess family functioning, parental distress, parent-child interaction and child characteristics, with open-ended questions regarding disclosure. RESULTS: The majority of mothers appeared to experience normal levels of parenting stress, quality of parent-child interaction and healthy family functioning. However, most mothers recalled experiencing a significant degree of worry at the time of receiving their prenatal test results, and some mothers (4/15) reported receiving uncertain or conflicting results. Most mothers (13/15) conveyed an understanding of the importance of disclosing this genetic information to their child, and 12/15 conveyed their intention to make this disclosure. CONCLUSION: Most mothers reported normal parenting stress and family functioning, despite experiencing significant worry upon receiving results. Some children are at risk of nondisclosure of their carrier status.

Long-term health and development of children diagnosed prenatally with a de novo apparently balanced chromosomal rearrangement.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if liveborn children with prenatally detected de novo apparently balanced chromosome rearrangements (ABCR) have more long-term health, developmental or behavioural concerns compared with children in a normal Australian population. METHODS: This was a retrospective ascertainment of all liveborn children with prenatally detected de novo ABCRs in two Australian states over a 10-year period (1994-2003). Child health, development and behaviour were assessed by maternal report using standardised measures; educational ability and achievement were measured by direct child assessment. Data were compared with relevant population norms, and one sample t-test performed to test for statistical differences. RESULTS: Of 39 eligible cases, 16 (41%) participated in the study. One child (6%) was born with a congenital anomaly, and two children (12.5%) reported a chronic health concern. Compared with population norms, no significant differences were observed with respect to intelligence, mental health, child development and educational ability; children had significantly higher scores indicative of better functioning on bodily pain, social-emotional behaviour and physical functioning. No child satisfied the criteria for having a special health care need. CONCLUSION: Children in this study with a prenatally detected de novo ABCR have similar long-term health, developmental and behavioural outcomes compared with population norms.

A Clinical Review of Generalized Overgrowth Syndromes in the Era of Massively Parallel Sequencing.

The overgrowth syndromes are important to diagnose, not just for accurate genetic counseling, but also for knowledge surrounding cancer surveillance and prognosis. There has been a recent expansion in the number of genes associated with a mendelian overgrowth phenotype, so this review updates previous classifications of overgrowth syndromes. We also describe a clinical and molecular approach to the investigation of individuals presenting with overgrowth. This review aims to assist the clinical diagnosis of generalized overgrowth syndromes by outlining the salient features of well-known overgrowth syndromes alongside the many syndromes that have been discovered and classified more recently. We provide key clinical "handles" to aid clinical diagnosis and a list of genes to aid with panel design when using next generation sequencing, which we believe is frequently needed due to the overlapping phenotypic features seen between overgrowth syndromes.

Short stature, sensorineural deafness, ocular abnormalities and severe mental retardation in two siblings. A new syndrome?

We describe a brother and sister with craniofacial dysmorphism, short stature, relative obesity, sensorineural deafness, multiple pigmented naevi and severe mental retardation. One sibling had keratoconus and the other had an iris coloboma. Dysmorphic features included brachycephaly, hypotelorism, small mouth, thin lips, pterygium colli, broad chest, widely spaced nipples and cutaneous second and third toe syndactyly. The children demonstrate some features of Noonan syndrome, but we believe that they have a different and distinctive phenotype. We have reviewed similar cases in the literature and discuss these in the context of our cases, who may have a previously undescribed syndrome.