AAP Genetic Evaluation of the Child With Intellectual Disability or Global Developmental Delay Guideline Summary - Guideline Central

Document Overview

Document Title
Genetic Evaluation of the Child With Intellectual Disability or Global Developmental Delay
Authoring Society

American Academy of Pediatrics

Document Publication Date
Jun 23, 2025
Page Last Reviewed/Updated
May 5, 2026
Document Type
Consensus Statement
Country of Publication
United States
Full Text Freely Available
Yes
Full Text Guideline
publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2025-072219/202230/Genetic-Evaluation-of-the-Child-With-Intellectual
Source Citation

Lance H. Rodan, Joan Stoler, Emily Chen, Timothy Geleske, Council on Genetics; Genetic Evaluation of the Child With Intellectual Disability or Global Developmental Delay: Clinical Report. Pediatrics 2025; e2025072219. 10.1542/peds.2025-072219


Document Scope, Criteria, and Use Cases

Document Objectives

Genetic neurodevelopmental disorders are common in the pediatric population, and establishing a specific diagnosis early provides multiple benefits including prognostication, surveillance for disorder-related complications, accurate recurrence risk, and specific management. This report provides an approach to the genetic evaluation of developmental delay/intellectual disability for the general pediatrician. When possible, genetic testing should be selected by phenotype, and typical distinguishing clinical features to facilitate this are presented. If a specific disorder or group of disorders cannot be ascertained by phenotype, an agnostic (or hypothesis-free) approach is utilized. Recommendations are provided for this agnostic approach based on diagnostic yield and also practical considerations such as test complexity and impact on management. The general guidance in this report for genetic testing does not preclude further evaluation by relevant subspecialists as necessary, including neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and clinical geneticists.

Scope
Assessment and Screening, Diagnosis
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D005820 - Genetic Testing

D008607 - Intellectual Disability

D065886 - Neurodevelopmental Disorders

D005820 - Genetic Testing

D008607 - Intellectual Disability

D065886 - Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Keywords
Developmental Delay, genetic evaluation, intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental disorders
Inclusion Criteria
Male, Female, Child
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Laboratory Services
Intended Users
Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant
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