Parents Are Interested in Newborn Genomic Testing in the Early Postpartum Period

Abstract

Purpose: We surveyed new parents at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the early postpartum period to assess their interest in newborn genomic testing. We also assessed whether these survey questions affected uptake of state-mandated newborn screening. Methods: After providing consent, parents received a brief orientation to genetics. They then rated their interest in receiving genomic testing for their healthy newborn on a 5-point Likert scale and answered questions about demographics and health history. We used logistic regression to explore factors associated with interest in genomic testing and tracked any subsequent rejection of newborn screening. We also evaluated concordance between couples’ survey responses. Results: We queried 514 parents within 48 hours after birth while still in hospital (mean age (SD) 32.7 (6.4) years, 65.2% female, 61.2% white, 79.3% married). Parents reported being not at all (6.4%), a little (10.9%), somewhat (36.6%), very (28.0%), or extremely (18.1%) interested in genomic testing for their newborns. None refused state-mandated newborn screening. Married participants and those with health concerns about their infant were less interested in newborn genomic testing (P = 0.012 and P = 0.030, respectively). Degree of interest for mothers and fathers was discordant (at least two categories different) for 24.4% of couples. Conclusions: Interest in newborn genomic testing was high among parents of healthy newborns, and the majority of couples had similar levels of interest. Surveying parents about genomic sequencing did not prompt rejection of newborn screening.