When Every Minute Matters: Introducing GenomeDx™ ultraRapid Duo and Trio
For critically ill infants, time is not just important—it’s everything. In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), clinicians are often faced with the most complex and urgent cases: newborns with unexplained seizures, respiratory failure, congenital heart disease, or rapid, multi-system decline. In many of these scenarios, an underlying genetic condition may be the cause.
The challenge is that traditional diagnostic pathways can take too long. While care teams work tirelessly to stabilize patients, they are often doing so without a clear understanding of the root cause. This uncertainty can delay targeted treatment, prolong hospital stays, and add emotional strain for families searching for answers in the most critical moments.
The Case for Rapid Genomic Answers
Rapid and ultraRapid genome sequencing is changing what’s possible in intensive care. Compressing the diagnostic timeline from weeks to as soon as 48 hours, neonatal and pediatric clinicians can identify genetic causes earlier—when those insights can most directly inform care.
A timely diagnosis may guide medication selection, inform surgical decisions, or help avoid unnecessary and invasive procedures. In some cases, it can also provide the clarity needed to shift goals of care. Just as importantly, it offers families answers during moments of profound uncertainty.
A recent case study in congenital heart disease highlights just how powerful this impact can be. In a critically ill infant with complex cardiac anomalies and an unclear underlying cause, ultraRapid genome sequencing enabled a genetic diagnosis within days—providing immediate clarity on the condition driving the patient’s presentation. That diagnosis not only helped refine the care plan and guide clinical decision-making, but also informed prognosis and aligned the care team and family on next steps. Rather than continuing a prolonged and uncertain diagnostic workup, the care team was able to act with confidence—demonstrating how rapid genomic insights can directly shape outcomes in the most time-sensitive settings.
As the clinical value of rapid sequencing becomes increasingly clear, so does the need for even greater speed, accuracy, and confidence in results.
Introducing GenomeDx™ ultraRapid Duo and Trio
To meet this need, we are expanding our rapid genomic testing portfolio with the launch of GenomeDx™ ultraRapid duo and trio test options. Building on the success of our ultraRapid proband offering, these new options are designed to deliver even faster, more precise answers for critically ill pediatric patients.
By combining accelerated whole genome sequencing with parental comparators, GenomeDx™ ultraRapid duo and trio testing enables clinicians to identify clinically actionable variants with greater speed and confidence—helping ensure that critical decisions are informed by the most complete genetic picture possible.
Why Parental Context Changes Everything
In high-acuity environments, every layer of clarity matters. Duo and trio testing incorporate genetic data from one or both parents, allowing clinicians to more quickly determine whether a variant is inherited or de novo.
Starting with a trio enables:
- More precise variant classification with greater diagnostic certainty1
- Higher diagnostic yield2 which may result in fewer variants of unknown significance(VUS)1
- Faster clarity for time-sensitive diagnostic evaluation
This added context can significantly reduce uncertainty in interpretation, streamline analysis, and accelerate time to diagnosis. For care teams under pressure to act quickly, that means fewer ambiguities and more confidence in the decisions they make. For families, it means faster answers when they need them most.
One Year of ultraRapid Impact—and What Comes Next
Over the past year with GenomeDx™ ultraRapid proband testing, rapid genome sequencing has helped deliver timely, actionable insights to families and clinicians navigating some of the most critical situations in pediatric care.
The addition of duo and trio testing reflects our continued commitment to advancing genomic medicine—expanding both the speed and depth of insights available when they matter most.
Available Now for Time-Sensitive Care
GenomeDx™ ultraRapid duo  and ultraRapid trio are available to order now, with active test codes ready for clinical use. As the role of genomics in acute care continues to grow, so does the opportunity to transform outcomes. With GenomeDx™ ultraRapid, we are helping bring faster answers, greater clarity, and more confident decision-making to the moments that matter most.
