Effects of Undergoing Multiplex Genetic Susceptibility Testing on Parent Attitudes towards Testing Their Children

Parents may pursue common disease risk information about themselves via multiplex genetic susceptibility testing (MGST) for their children. 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. 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. 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. The experience of receiving MGST had little impact on parents' perceptions or behaviors related to their minor child.