Whole Exome Sequencing and Panel-Based Analysis in 176 Spanish Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability/Global Developmental Delay

A sequential approach utilizing WES followed by panel-based analysis, starting with the index case and, when appropriate, including the parents, proves to be a cost-effective strategy. WES is particularly suitable for complex conditions, as it allows for the identification of potentially causative genes beyond those covered by targeted panels, providing a more comprehensive analysis. Including parental testing enhances the diagnostic yield and improves accuracy, especially in cases with variants of uncertain significance (VUS), thereby advancing our understanding of NDDs.