Exploring Genetic Testing Requests, Genetic Alterations and Clinical Associations in a Cohort of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Several studies show great heterogeneity in the type of genetic study requested and in the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with ASD. Objective: The following study aims, firstly, to explore the factors that might influence professionals' decisions about the appropriateness of requesting genetic testing for their patients with ASD and, secondly, to determine the prevalence of genetic alterations in a representative sample of children with a diagnosis of ASD. Methods: We studied the clinical factors associated with the request for genetic testing in a sample of 440 children with ASD and the clinical factors of present genetic alterations. Results: Even though the main guidelines recommend genetic testing all children with an ASD diagnosis, only 56% of children with an ASD diagnosis were genetically tested. The prevalence of genetic alterations was 17.5%. These alterations were more often associated with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features. There are no objective data to explicitly justify the request for genetic testing, nor are there objective data to justify requesting one genetic study versus multiple studies. Remarkably, only 28% of males were genetically tested with the recommended tests (fragile X and CMA). As expected, children with dysmorphic features and organic comorbidities were more likely to be genetic tested than those without. Previous diagnosis of ASD (family history of ASD) and attendance at specialist services were also associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder Genetically tested GTASD. Conclusions: Our results reflect the need to develop algorithms that could make it possible to offer genetic testing not only to children with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features, but also to the whole ASD population.