Dubai Health has launched the Little Falcon programme, which uses rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) to analyse the genetic material of critically ill infants and children within days, accelerating the diagnosis of inherited diseases.

The technology is being used for selected patients in the neonatal intensive care unit at Latifa Hospital and the paediatric intensive care unit at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. Unlike traditional methods, which may require multiple separate tests and take weeks or months, rWGS can screen for a wide range of genetic mutations across the genome within three to four days.

Improved Diagnostic Accuracy

A study published in Nature Medicine evaluated the method in 100 children from 18 countries across the Middle East and Asia. Most of the patients lived in Dubai, and the majority were under one year old.

The findings showed that rWGS delivered a definitive diagnosis in 53 per cent of patients, compared with a success rate of about 30 per cent for previous methods. In addition, 23 per cent of patients who did not undergo rWGS required multiple different tests.

The test is primarily used for children admitted to intensive care with an undiagnosed condition and symptoms such as severe muscle weakness, persistent seizures, abnormal brain activity or a family history of genetic disorders.

Significant Cost Reduction

The cost of the technology has also fallen in recent years. According to Professor Ahmad Abou Tayoun, the average cost of rWGS was about $9,200 per patient several years ago but now typically ranges from $3,500 to $4,500.

Although its operational cost remains higher than that of routine tests, faster and more accurate diagnosis can prevent the need for multiple tests and help doctors select appropriate treatment sooner.

Dubai Health said the technology, previously used mainly in the United States and Europe, has now become part of standard care in Dubai for children suspected of having genetic disorders and could pave the way for more personalised treatment.