Proactive Parenting: Discover Hidden Health Risks with Nurture Genomics
July 2024
So what does Nurture Genomics do and why does it matter? We are so glad you asked. Nurture offers parents of healthy kids an opportunity to identify, understand, and act on potential health risks early in life. Our expert team guides families through the genetic screening process and supports ongoing care. Let’s take a closer look …
What can screening for genetic conditions tell you?
Your genetic code is like a library, and each gene is a book that provides your body with important instructions. Everyone has changes or typos throughout the books in their library. Some changes have little impact, like making you taller than other family members. Other changes in your genetic book can impact your health. Out of the 20,000 genes that humans have, scientists have found over 6,000 that can cause disease.
Fact: 70% of all rare genetic conditions start in childhood.1
The conditions associated with these genetic changes are rare, and consequently, most doctors are not looking for them. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and serious complications.
Fact: The average time to diagnose a rare disease in childhood is 5-7 years, this is often referred to as a diagnostic odyssey.2
Thanks to advances in research, hundreds of genetic conditions in children are actually treatable today. We want to help parents and their physicians proactively uncover these hidden health risks so that families can access these life-changing treatments. That’s why Nurture screens for more than 400 genetic conditions where early action in childhood is beneficial.
See a comprehensive list of the conditions we test for.
What happens during the genomic screening process?
Early detection is crucial to get the most benefit from available therapies.
If you are thinking about genomic screening for your child, but have questions, Nurture has genetic counselors available to answer any questions you have and at any time – before or after screening.
After you purchase Nurture’s service, you’ll receive a cheek swab in the mail. Collection is easy and can be done at home and shipped back for processing. Once Nurture has received your child’s sample, it’s then prepared for lab processing which includes a few key steps that take four to six weeks to complete.
- Step 1 – Extraction is when the lab bursts the cell to access the DNA inside.
- Step 2 – Sequencing uses chemical reactions split apart the double stranded DNA to read the DNA sequence.
- Step 3 – Interpretation using Nurture’s specially selected gene panel of 400 childhood onset conditions to look for changes in the genetic sequence from what’s typically seen.
Sometimes even a small change in the genetic code can stop a gene from working properly and can increase the risk for disease. Finding these genetic changes allow doctors to develop a personalized care plan.
While genetic testing is highly accurate, it is important to remember that no test is 100% perfect. In certain cases, Nurture may advise further testing or a consultation with a specialist to confirm your child’s result.
What happens after the results are ready?
Results will be posted inside your Nurture account once they are ready. It’s important to know that Nurture Genomics isn’t just a medical test—it’s a support system. Our dedicated medical team is always ready to support you throughout the process. We are here to answer your questions, explain your results, and guide you through the next steps.
Using telehealth services, we are by your side to help you interpret the results and connect with the right specialists for follow-up care, if needed. We will also send the results to your pediatrician’s office and your pediatrician can speak with our medical team at any time.
If you’re unsure what to ask a genetic counselor, check out our Guide to Genetic Counseling.
As you set out on this journey to gain deeper insights into your child’s health, remember, you are not alone.
1 European Union Public Health Commission, https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/expert-group-public-health/rare-diseases_en
2 National Organization for Rare Disorder’s [NORD] Patient Journey Infographic, https://rarediseases.org/new-patient-journey-infographic-gives-a-glimpse-into-the-diagnostic-odyssey/
