The Generation Study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10894729 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10894729 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 324562 |
| Protocol serial number | CPMS 56000, IRAS 324562 |
| Sponsor | Genomics England |
| Funder | Department of Health and Social Care |
- Submission date
- 30/05/2023
- Registration date
- 29/06/2023
- Last edited
- 29/01/2025
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Genetic Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Each year in England, about 3,000 babies are born with one of about 200 genetic conditions that are treatable in early childhood. Nine of these conditions are currently looked for in the NHS newborn bloodspot test. But there are many more conditions where earlier diagnosis and treatment could help. This study investigates the genomes of newborn babies to see if we can find and treat rare genetic conditions early. A genome is a person’s entire genetic sequence – the body’s instruction manual. The study team want to see if, by testing babies’ genomes, any standard treatment and management of the rare conditions can be initiated earlier.
Who can participate?
Pregnant/expectant mother or birthing parent, aged 16 or over who have parental responsibility for the baby
What does the study involve?
Parents will be asked if they want to take part while they are pregnant. If they consent, a sample of blood from the umbilical cord will be taken from the baby after they are born. In some rare cases, a heel prick may be required. These samples will have DNA extracted that will be analysed by scientists to look for around 200 rare genetic conditions that can be treated early in childhood. Results will then be sent to parents. If a condition is suspected, the baby will be referred to the NHS for confirmation testing and management. We think only 1% of newborns will be suspected to have a condition. We'll safely store the samples, genome sequence, antenatal data and regular updates from the baby’s healthcare record in our ethically approved database, the National Genomic Research Library (NGRL). Approved researchers will study this data to learn more about genes and health – without knowing the identity of the baby. When the child is 16 years old we will contact them and they can choose whether they wish to stay in the NGRL.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefits of participating are that the baby will be tested for 200+ rare genetic conditions. It is rare but possible that this will identify a condition early. The baby can then get early treatment, which could help reduce their symptoms or stop them from becoming ill. Taking part also helps researchers learn more about the link between genes and health. Their work could help develop new treatments. It could also help predict or diagnose conditions more quickly in the future.
The risks from participating are that a sample from the baby’s heel will be collected with a tiny needle if it has not been possible to collect a sample from the umbilical cord. This could cause them temporary discomfort. The baby could get an incorrect result. This study is for research and is not a diagnosis. This means there is a small chance we could get the baby’s result wrong. Parents could feel uncertain about the results. It might be stressful to wait for results. If it is suspected that the baby has a condition, the participants need to have follow-up appointments with the NHS. This could take some time. Because these conditions are rare, there might not be a lot of information available. Parents and babies could be identified through the data. In rare circumstances, a researcher could match parent or baby names with their data. We have safeguards in place which make this very unlikely.
Where is the study run from?
Genomics England (UK). The study will take place in 25-40 NHS hospitals in England, and where the hospital supports it, this will include homebirths.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2022 to December 2040
Who is funding the study?
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Generation Study Team, generationstudy@genomicsengland.co.uk
Contact information
Scientific
1 Canada Square
London
E14 5AB
United Kingdom
| generationstudy@genomicsengland.co.uk |
Principal investigator
1 Canada Square
London
E14 5AB
United Kingdom
| generationstudy@genomicsengland.co.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Non-randomized interventional study design type |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Participant information sheet | 43729_PIS_v2.0_19May2023.pdf |
| Scientific title | The Generation Study |
| Study objectives | To determine the clinical utility of genomic newborn screening as evidenced by the number of screen-identified diagnoses likely to benefit from intervention compared to standard of care alone. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 23/05/2023, East of England - Cambridge Central (Equinox House, City Link, Nottingham, NG2 4LA, United Kingdom; +44 (0)2071048384, 02071048286; cambridgecentral.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 23/EE/0044 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Rare genetic conditions |
| Intervention | This is a quantitative, longitudinal birth cohort study in which newborn babies and their birthing parents will be recruited. The study aims to gather data relevant to both the pregnancy (at one timepoint) and the child (longitudinally). Initially, recruitment will take place from a subset of maternity units across England, with the potential to expand to other Nations of the UK in the future. All babies enrolled in the study will undergo the study intervention, which involves whole genome-led newborn screening for approximately 200 treatable childhood conditions, in addition to receiving standard care through the Newborn Blood Spot Test. The study will follow a quasi-experimental approach, comparing data from babies born at centers not participating in the study. The primary objective is to evaluate the utility, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of implementing early standard care for managing rare conditions. Posters introducing the study will be placed in secondary care settings to create awareness. Parents will be approached during routine antenatal appointments at 20 weeks of pregnancy. They will receive a copy of the study leaflet or patient information sheet, have the opportunity to ask questions, and be directed to the study microsite or digital information sheet. Parents will also be asked for permission to be contacted by the site study team for further discussion and can choose to provide consent at this stage. Before reaching 36 weeks of pregnancy, parents will be contacted by the site study team, which may occur through phone calls or face-to-face meetings during hospital appointments. The purpose of these interactions is to confirm eligibility, provide additional study information, and address any concerns or inquiries. Depending on the needs of individual parents, multiple conversations may take place. Consent can be obtained through face-to-face consultations or verbal agreements following telephone or video consultations. On the day the baby is born, the site study teams will allow time, whenever possible, for any additional questions and obtain consent to collect study samples. Parents will be made aware of their right to withdraw from the study. The collected samples will be sent for DNA extraction and subsequently undergo whole genome sequencing. All relevant service providers will be accredited, ensuring the use of accredited laboratories. The genomic data will then enter the Genomics England bio pipeline for automated analysis, with a specific focus on the approximately 200 treatable childhood conditions. In cases where potentially reportable variants are identified, clinical scientists will review the variants and determine whether they should be reported. Based on this analysis, two types of results will be generated: a 'no condition suspected' result, which will be communicated to participants by Genomics England, and a 'condition suspected' result, which will be relayed to participants through NHS care providers. The latter will initiate the clinical confirmation and management pathway for the baby. In instances where the analysis is unsuccessful due to sample failure, parents will receive a letter explaining the lack of results and providing information on what to expect. The data generated by the study will be stored in the National Genomic Research Library (NGRL) and linked to ongoing healthcare records. This enables the utilization of the data for future approved research purposes. The NGRL possesses generic REC RTB approval (20EE0035). Particular and early focus will be given to analysis against the primary outcome: ‘To determine the clinical utility of genomic newborn screening as evidenced by the number of screen-identified diagnoses likely to benefit from intervention compared to standard of care alone’. As preparation for the study, formal a priori sample size estimation was done using a precision approach with the aim to identify the minimum sample size that would ensure a precise estimate of the incidence of diseases. For the consequent data analysis, we will use a Bayesian approach for data modelling outcomes of interest to better account for extreme values and zero numerator problems such as in the case of rare genetic conditions. The team will formulate a prior probability distribution for apparent false positives and false negatives based on the extensive modelling already conducted and also after collecting expert opinions. We will recalculate the posterior probabilities alongside the progression of the programme thus incorporating and refining parameters of uncertainty. The exposition of the data analysis strategy across the full breadth of the research questions and study outcomes is beyond the scope of this protocol. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Clinical utility of genomic newborn screening measured using the number of screen-identified diagnoses likely to benefit from the intervention compared to the standard of care alone. The primary outcome measure will have two timepoints as follows: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Feasibility of genomic newborn screening in the NHS measured using mixed-method approaches to assess study implementation during the study including: |
| Completion date | 01/12/2040 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 105000 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current participant inclusion criteria as of 05/12/2023: 1. Mother / birthing parent over the age of 16 years 2. Mother / birthing parent must have parental responsibility for the baby 3. Singleton birth For those with complicated births or early postnatal periods, for example where admission to NICU is necessary, final sampling decision will be made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the research staff and with the NHS clinical team. Previous participant inclusion criteria as of 07/11/2023 to 05/12/2023: 1. Mother / birthing parent aged 16 and over 2. Mother / birthing parent must have parental responsibility for the baby 3. Singleton birth 4. Babies born after 36 weeks, for whom a cord blood sample can be obtained* 5. Babies born at home are included if an individual with legal parental responsibility is willing to bring the baby back to the study site for sample collection *For those with complicated births or early postnatal periods, for example where admission to NICU is necessary, final sampling decision will be made on a case-by-case basis with input from the NHS clinical team. Previous participant inclusion criteria: 1. Mother / birthing parent over the age of 16 2. Mother / birthing parent must have parental responsibility for the baby 3. Singleton birth 4. Babies born after 36 weeks, for whom a cord blood sample can be obtained* 5. Babies born at home are included if an individual with legal parental responsibility is willing to bring the baby back to the study site for sample collection *For those with complicated births or early postnatal periods, for example where admission to NICU is necessary, final sampling decision will be made on a case-by-case basis with input from the NHS clinical team. |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current participant exclusion criteria as of 05/12/2023: 1. Mother / birthing parent under 16 2. Mother / birthing parent who will not have parental responsibility for the baby (Babies who are being adopted) 3. Mother / birthing parent lacking the capacity to provide informed consent for any reason 4. Mother / birthing parent who does not give birth in one of the recruiting hospitals 5. Mother / birthing parent who does not have an NHS number 6. Mother / birthing parent who is serving time in prison Previous participant exclusion criteria: 1. Mother / birthing parent under 16 2. Mother / birthing parent who will not have parental responsibility for the baby (Babies who are being adopted) 3. Mother / birthing parent who does not have a fixed UK address where they reside (prisoners, people in long-term care, people requiring refuge, people of no fixed abode) 4. Mother / birthing parent lacking the capacity to provide informed consent for any reason 5. Mother / birthing parent who does not give birth in one of the recruiting hospitals 6. Mother / birthing parent who does not have an NHS number |
| Date of first enrolment | 15/03/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
London
E1 2ES
United Kingdom
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Birmingham
B4 6NH
United Kingdom
Marlborough Street
Bristol
BS1 3NU
United Kingdom
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
High Heaton
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN
United Kingdom
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2GW
United Kingdom
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
South Wharf Road
London
W2 1BL
United Kingdom
Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
Frimley
Camberley
GU16 7UJ
United Kingdom
London
NW1 2PG
United Kingdom
Liverpool
L8 7SS
United Kingdom
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
United Kingdom
Wexham
Slough
SL2 4HL
United Kingdom
London
W12 0HS
United Kingdom
Liverpool
L8 7SS
United Kingdom
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Newcastle upon Tyne
TS1 4LP
United Kingdom
Nottingham
NG5 1PB
United Kingdom
Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
81a Oxford Road
Banbury
OX16 9AL
United Kingdom
London
NW1 2BU
United Kingdom
Bordesley Green
Birmingham
B9 5SS
United Kingdom
Sutton Coldfield
B75 7RR
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Liz Gardner, ge-servicedesk@genomicsengland.co.uk. These data will be stored in a secure trusted research environment (TRE) called the National Genomics Research Library (NGRL). Genomic data and linked secondary data will be available from NHSE and other sources. The time of availability is not known at this time. Data will be stored for 16 years or until withdrawal, at which point, re-consent of data storage is planned. Data are accessible on application and are accessible to researchers (academic or commercial) with an approved use case. The type of analyses for which data are available is to be decided – this will depend on the applications of the researchers. Consent from participants was obtained. All data will be anonymised. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRA research summary | 20/09/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | version 2.0 | 19/05/2023 | 16/06/2023 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version 2.0 | 19/05/2023 | 16/06/2023 | No | No |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 43729_PIS_v2.0_19May2023.pdf
- Participant information sheet
- 43729_Protocol_v2.0_19May2023.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
29/01/2025: The PI contact name was changed.
28/01/2025: The recruitment end date was changed from 31/03/2025 to 31/12/2026.
12/06/2024. Study participating centres added: St. Michael’s Hospital, Rosie Hospital, West Middlesex University Hospital, Whipps Cross Hospital, Leeds General Infirmary, St James's University Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust (Centre(s) TBC), Royal Derby Hospital, Queen’s Hospital Burton, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Centre(s) TBC), University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust (Centre(s) TBC), Jessops Wing, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Wexham Park Hospital, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Nottingham City Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Horton Hospital, University College Hospital Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, Heartlands Hospital, and Good Hope Hospital. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust was amended to Frimley Park Hospital.
05/06/2024: The PI contact email was changed.
14/05/2024: The following changes were made:
1. The condition was changed from "Whole genome-led newborn screening" to "Rare genetic conditions".
2. A study contact was changed.
18/03/2024: The recruitment start date was changed from 20/03/2024 to 15/03/2024.
14/03/2024: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The study website was added.
2. The recruitment start date was changed from 15/02/2024 to 20/03/2024.
05/02/2024: The recruitment start date was changed from 29/01/2024 to 15/02/2024.
05/12/2023: The following changes were made:
1. The participant inclusion criteria were changed.
2. The participant exclusion criteria were changed.
3. The publication and dissemination plan was changed.
4. The recruitment start date was changed from 18/12/2023 to 29/01/2024.
07/11/2023: The following changes were made:
1. The participant inclusion criteria were changed.
2. The recruitment start date was changed from 01/11/2023 to 18/12/2023.
20/09/2023: A link to the HRA research summary was added.
03/07/2023: Internal review.
30/05/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (UK).
