Patient description: The patient is a 15-year-old boy with asthma diagnosed a year ago. He presents with shortness of breath, chest tightening and cough. According to his mother, he didn't respond to the usual corticosteroid inhaler. He was admitted to the emergency department with diagnosis of severe asthma exacerbation. He is a candidate for general corticosteroid therapy. Spirometry revealed a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 60% of the predicted. His past medical history is non-significant. His family history is significant for asthma in his mother and his uncle. He used to be treated with combination of inhaled corticosteroids and Zafirlukast.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 0.0-999.0,  Hereditary Disease Genetic Predisposition to Disease Newborns and Parents at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Well Newborn Nursery: : 1. Infants born at BWH and admitted to the Well Newborn Nursery 2. At least one biological parent is physically available to have genetic counseling, donate DNA, and provide consent for testing the infant. If the second biological parent is known but not physically present, the second biological parent must be available to have genetic counseling by phone, return a signed consent form by mail, and donate DNA via a mailed saliva kit. If there is a "rearing parent" (an individual who is not biologically related to the infant, but who is dedicated to raising the child), that individual must also provide consent but will not be asked to submit a saliva sample. 3. Mother (either rearing or biological) carried the pregnancy  Parents are non-English speaking 2. Parents are unwilling to have genomic reports placed in the medical record or sent to their primary care pediatrician 3. Mother or father younger than 18 years of age 4. Mother or father with impaired decisional capacity 5. Age of infant is older than 30 days 6. One of a multiple gestation 7. Any infant in which clinical considerations preclude drawing 1.0 ml of blood 8. Missing consent of either biological parent (if known) or rearing parent (if applicable) Sick Newborns and Parents at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) or the BWH NICU: 1. Infants admitted to BCH or the BWH NICU 2. At least one biological parent is physically available to have genetic counseling, donate DNA, and provide consent for testing the infant. If the second biological parent is known but not physically present, the second biological parent must be available to have genetic counseling by phone, return a signed consent form by mail, and donate DNA via a mailed saliva kit. If there is a "rearing parent" (an individual who is not biologically related to the infant, but who is dedicated to raising the child), that individual must also provide consent but will not be asked to submit a saliva sample. 3. Mother (either biological or rearing) carried the pregnancy Parents are non-English speaking 2. Parents are unwilling to have genomic reports placed in the medical record or sent to their primary care pediatrician 3. Mother or father younger than 18 years of age 4. Mother or father with impaired decisional capacity 5. Age of infant is older than 30 days 6. One of a multiple gestation 7. Any infant in which clinical considerations preclude drawing 1.0 ml of blood 8. Hospital admission expected to be less than 72 hours 9. Missing consent of either biological parent (if known) or rearing parent (if applicable) 10. Previously performed exome/genome sequencing on patient