Topic: Genomic Sequencing Innovations for Early-Life Care

Early-life health—from prenatal development to infancy and childhood—represents a critical window that shapes lifelong well-being. Advances in genomic sequencing technologies have transformed our ability to detect, diagnose, and manage genetic conditions during these rapidly developing stages. High-throughput platforms such as whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing, long-read sequencing, and multi-omics integration are enabling earlier detection of rare diseases, more precise neonatal screening, dynamic monitoring of developmental disorders, and personalized therapeutic interventions.

These innovations are not only improving diagnostic yield and clinical outcomes but are also reshaping public health strategies through population-level screening, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), and precision obstetrics. However, challenges remain in variant interpretation, ethical constraints on data usage, and ensuring equitable access to sequencing-based healthcare worldwide.

This Special Issue, Genomic Sequencing Innovations for Early-Life Care, aims to highlight recent advances and future directions in the field through contributions spanning multiple research dimensions, including but not limited to:

• Prenatal and Perinatal Genomic Applications;
• Newborn Screening and Rare Disease Diagnostics;
• Multi-Omics Integration and Precision Pediatrics;
• Rapid Sequencing and Bedside Clinical Decision Support;
• Data Interpretation and AI-Driven Analytics;
• Gene Therapy and Early Intervention Strategies;
• Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI);
• Health Policy, Accessibility, and Global Implementation.