Genetic tests in childhood

In the UK the professional consensus is that a predictive
genetic test should be carried out in childhood only when it is
in the best interests of the child concerned. It is important to
note that both medical and non-medical issues need to be
considered when the child’s best interests are being assessed.
There may be a potential for conflict between the parents’
“need to know” and the child’s right to make his or her own
decisions on reaching adulthood. In most cases, genetic
counselling helps to resolve such situations without predictive
genetic testing being carried out during childhood, since
genetic tests for carrier state in autosomal recessive disorders
only become of consequence at reproductive age, and physical
examination to exclude the presence of clinical signs usually
avoids the need for predictive genetic testing for late-onset
dominant disorders.