BOSTON, March 16 (UPI) -- The Autism Consortium says it has found chromosomal microarray analysis is the most effective genetic test for autism spectrum disorders.
The consortium -- a research, clinical and family collaboration -- said it conducted a comparison study of genetic testing methods. The study revealed chromosomal microarray analysis had the highest detection rate among clinically available genetic tests for patients with autism spectrum disorders and should be part of the initial diagnostic evaluation of all patients unless a genetic diagnosis has already been made.
The study, a collaboration of the consortium and Children's Hospital Boston, involved 933 families who received clinical genetic testing for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from January 2006 to December 2008. The researchers compared the findings from three clinical genetic tests: G-banded karyotype and fragile X testing, the current standard battery of genetic testing and chromosomal microarray analysis.
"This is the largest study of clinical genetic testing for patients with autism spectrum disorders, and the results clearly show that chromosomal microarray analysis detects genetic abnormalities leading to ASD more often than a standard karyotype and fragile X testing," said Dr. David Miller of Children's Hospital Boston.
The findings are available in the online edition of the journal Pediatrics and will appear in its April print issue.
