Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) refers to genetic profiling of embryos created through IVF prior to the transfer into the patient’s uterus. During PGD the embryos are screened for a number of specific genetic disorders, so as to exclude the possibility of selected embryos having these particular abnormalities.

PGD enables patients with a chronic disease in their family history to avoid passing it on to their children. A specialist may recommend PGD if patients have a family history of severe genetic diseases or previous miscarriages due to genetic disorders.

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 embryos chromosomes for common abnormalities. Chromosomal abnormalities are a major cause of miscarriages and the failure of embryos to implant. They can also cause such serious medical conditions as Down’s syndrome.

PGS is normally recommended for:

• older patients ( women over 35 years old);
• patients with a history of recurrent miscarriages;
• patients with a history of unsuccessful IVF cycles after the embryo transfer stage;
• patients with a family history of chromosomal diseases.