Rapid Whole-Exome Sequencing as a Diagnostic Tool in a Neonatal/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Genetic disorders are the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Due to the large number of genetic diseases, molecular and phenotype heterogeneity and often severe course, these diseases remain undiagnosed. In infants with a suspected acute monogenic disease, rapid whole-exome sequencing (R-WES) can be successfully performed. R-WES (singletons) was performed in 18 unrelated infants with a severe and/or progressing disease with the suspicion of genetic origin hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Blood samples were also collected from the parents. The results from the R-WES were available after 5-14 days. A conclusive genetic diagnosis was obtained in 13 children, corresponding to an overall diagnostic yield of 72.2%. For nine patients, R-WES was used as a first-tier test. Eight patients were diagnosed with inborn errors of metabolism, mainly mitochondrial diseases. In two patients, the disease was possibly caused by variants in genes which so far have not been associated with human disease (NARS1 and DCAF5). R-WES proved to be an effective diagnostic tool for critically ill infants in ICUs suspected of having a genetic disorder. It also should be considered as a first-tier test after precise clinical description. The quickly obtained diagnosis impacts patient's medical management, and families can receive genetic counseling.

Esophageal atresia and anal atresia in a newborn with heterotaxia combined with other congenital defects.

Heterotaxia (HTX) is a heterogeneous group of laterality defects characterized by abnormal discordance of asymmetric thoracic and abdominal organs. Esophageal anomalies occur rarely in HTX cases although additional defects associated with esophageal atresia are common. We report on a rare case of a neonate with HTX and multiple congenital malformations as well as specific facial dysmorphism, corresponding only to a few cases described in literature. Clinical examination of the proband revealed esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula, anal atresia, abdominal situs inversus, dextrocardia with complex congenital heart defect and left lung agenesis. A complex genetic analysis revealed no genetic abnormalities. Despite extensive diagnostic procedures, the cause of the laterality sequence disruption remains unclear, indicating its multifactorial etiology.

[Difficult therapeutic decision making in treatment of children with oesophageal atresia and trisomy of chromosome 18 - comments by geneticist, surgeon, neonatologist, paediatrician and anaesthesiologist]. / Trudne decyzje dotyczace leczenia noworodków z zarosnieciem przelyku oraz z trisomia chromosomu 18 - rozwazania genetyka, chirurga, neonatologa, pediatry i anestezjologa.

Oesophageal atresia is a congenital defect of alimentary tract concerning the interruption of oesophagus with or without connection with the trachea. Its incidence is 1:3000-3500 of live-born. Associated anomalies including genetic disorders occur in 50% of patients. Edwards syndrome which is trisomy of chromosome 18 with poor prognosis. The incidence of Edwards syndrome is 1:5000 of live-born. About 5% of these children live more than 1 year. The aim of this article is a retrospective analysis of the course of treatment of newborn with oesophageal atresia and Edwards syndrome and making of therapeutic decision. The authors from different medical specializations: clinical genetics, paediatric surgery, paediatrics and neonatology, paediatric intensive care and palliative medicine, have undertaken a discussion regarding surgical treatment of children with oesophageal atresia and chromosomal, lethal syndrome.