Genetic Testing for Developmental Disabilities Low Among Children Enrolled in Medicaid

FRIDAY, June 27, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Clinical implementation of genetic testing in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in the Medicaid-enrolled population remains low, according to a study published online June 18 in Genetics in Medicine.

Tashalee R. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues examined clinical implementation of existing genetic testing medical guidelines for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) among enrollees of Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program plans. Analysis included data from 241,060 children aged 7 to 17 years.

The researchers found that the frequency of genetic testing was low across diagnoses, with ASD + ID showing the highest frequency of 25.94 percent. Children with ASD + ID had the highest odds of genetic testing (adjusted odds ratio, 29.43) versus a random sample of children without ASD or ID. In 2013, cytogenetics and Fragile X testing were the predominant testing types used, followed by increasing use of chromosomal microarray analysis and gene panels in 2014 to 2016.

“Genetic testing can offer valuable insights for diagnosis and care planning,” Brown said in a statement. “But our findings show a major gap between what’s recommended and what’s actually happening in clinical practice among children who receive health insurance through Medicaid.”

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