Development and application targeted NGS panels in the selective screening algorithm for inborn errors of metabolism. An experience of the St. Petersburg Medical and Genetic Center

Abstract

Inborn errors of metabolism are an extensive class of genetic diseases and contribute significantly to childhood morbidity, and their diagnosis using biochemical methods is often difficult. Three panels for sequencing of 88 genes responsible for the development of three groups of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) were developed and introduced in St.Petersburg Medical and Genetic Center and 84 children were tested for which these diseases were suspected by tandem mass-spectrometry or by the presence of clinical symptoms. In 6 children, the NGS method fully established the genetic cause of the disease. Pathogenic mutations were detected significantly more frequently with increased biochemical markers, demonstrating the leading role of pre-biochemical screening in performing NGS analysis. NGS significantly improves the clinical diagnostic effectiveness of IEM. Biochemical testing and NGS play complementary roles and their complex use in selective screening algorithm allows to increase accuracy of IEM diagnostics.