title: Overview: referrals for genetic evaluation from child psychiatrists.
abstract: A growing multitude of known genetic diagnoses can result in presentation to child psychiatry. For numerous reasons, it is important to identify a genetic etiology in child psychiatry patients when it is present. Genetic diagnoses can guide treatment and enable access to specialized clinics and appropriate screening measures. They can also allow for genetic counseling for the patient and family. A better understanding of etiology with a named diagnosis can itself be of great value to many patients and families; prognostic information can be empowering. Since patients with genetic conditions may present to psychiatric care in diverse ways, child psychiatrists must decide who to refer for genetic evaluation. Here we create a table to provide a framework of concerning/notable history and exam features that a practicing child psychiatrist may encounter that should prompt one to consider whether a larger, unifying genetic diagnosis is at hand. We hope this framework will facilitate referral of child psychiatry patients to genetics so that more patients can benefit from an appropriate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: 733 North Broadway, Suite 137-Office of Student Affairs, Edward D. Miller Research Building, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA.
authors.forename: Katharine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Press
authors.affiliation: Bloomberg Children's Center, 12th Floor, Room 12316, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wieczorek
authors.affiliation: Blalock 1008 Medical Genetics, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoover-Fong
authors.affiliation: Blalock 1008 Medical Genetics, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA.
authors.forename: Joann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bodurtha
authors.affiliation: Bloomberg Children's Center, 12th Floor, Room 12352, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taylor
keywords: Child psychiatry; Diagnosis; Genetics