Abstract

Background

Parents may pursue common disease risk information about themselves via multiplex genetic susceptibility testing (MGST) for their children.

Purpose

To prospectively assess whether parents who received MGST disclosed their test results to their child, intended to change the child's health habits, or have the child tested.

Methods

Eighty parents who opted for free MGST completed an online survey about a child in their household before undergoing MGST and a follow-up telephone survey 3 months after receiving results.

Results

Few parents (21 %) disclosed results to the child. Undergoing MGST was unrelated to intentions to change the child's health habits but did increase parental willingness to test the child. Greater willingness to test a child was associated with positive attitudes toward pediatric genetic testing and intentions to change the child's health habits.

Conclusion

The experience of receiving MGST had little impact on parents’ perceptions or behaviors related to their minor child.

You do not currently have access to this article.