Table 3.

Considerations for genetic diagnostic testing in developmentally delayed children^*

Positive effects	Negative effects
Treatment—such as thyroid replacement therapy if hypothyroid	Harm from testing—the pain of venepuncture or the risk of general anesthetic for some investigations
Genetic counseling—such as discussion of chromosome abnormality with extended family	False-positive and false-negative results
Explanation—for parents and family, even if no treatment identified	Financial costs
Prognostic information
Research—if an investigation may increase understanding of the mechanisms and/or genetics of the developmental delay

^*From Gringras.⁸