Feasibility study for genetic testing and SNP analysis in infants

Purpose: Determine whether parents would consent to genotyping for temperament characteristics for their infants; establish that quality DNA is obtained from infants using a cheek swab. Design and Methods: Seventeen mother-father dyads and infants, 11 to 35 weeks of age, who had participated in a GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) massage study participated in this feasibility study. Results: Seventy-one percent of parents agreed to genotyping. Most parents who participated were concurrently enrolled in the GERD massage study. Reasons provided for participating were support of research and the desire to help other families who had infants with GERD. Parents who participated also had higher educational attainment than those who declined. Reasons for declining were dislike of genetic research. All samples could be analyzed. Practice Implications. Many par-ents allowed genotyping, especially if currently engaged with research staff. Cheek swabs are a noninvasive and satisfactory method of DNA collection.