Preimplantation genetic diagnosis

PGD

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) refers to genetic profiling of embryos created through IVF prior to the transfer into the patient’s uterus. When screened for a specific genetic disease, PGD test allows selection of embryos free of the disease under consideration.

PGD enables patients with an inheritable condition in their family to avoid passing it on to their children. A specialist may recommend PGD if patients have a family history of a serious genetic disease or previous pregnancies were ended because of a serious genetic condition.

PGS

The term preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is used to denote procedures that do not look for a specific disease but use PGD techniques to identify embryos at risk. PGS involves checking the chromosomes of embryos for common abnormalities. Chromosomal abnormalities are a major cause of the failure of embryos to implant, and of miscarriages. They can also cause conditions such as Down’s syndrome.
PGS can be recommended for:

older patients ( women over 35 years old)
patients having a history of recurrent miscarriages
patients having had repeated failure of the IVF cycle after embryo transfer
patients having a family history of chromosome problems

In a standard IVF treatment, every time a cycle produces more than one embryo, a choice must be made about which embryo will be transferred. That choice is determined by the development and appearance of the embryos.

However, advances in scientific techniques mean PGD gives us another factor on which to base the decision - the genetic health of the embryo.
PGD allows Altravita specialists to base the choice on the results of genetic tests conducted on the patients’ embryos. PGD increases the chances of a genetically normal embryo being selected, implanting successfully and our patients’ chances of carrying and delivering a healthy baby.