Genetic service providers' practices and attitudes regarding adolescent genetic testing for carrier status.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize current practices and attitudes regarding testing adolescents for carrier status.


METHODS
Electronic survey of 294 genetic service providers from various professional organizations. Testing for predisposition and presymptomatic conditions was excluded from this study.


RESULTS
Eighty-three percent of providers had received requests to test adolescents for carrier status. Of these, 84% have performed testing. Providers cited adolescent desire, sexual activity/pregnancy, and adolescent competence as the main reasons for testing. Some providers who performed testing found the current guidelines unhelpful.


CONCLUSIONS
Testing adolescents for carrier status is common for at least some conditions. The guidelines regarding genetic testing of adolescents may need to be updated to reflect current concerns and practices.
Multhaupt-Buell
Trisha J
TJ
College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Lovell
Anne
A
Mills
Lisa
L
Stanford
Kevin E
KE
Hopkin
Robert J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005826:Genetics, Medical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires