Do You Want a Child or Do You Want a Healthy Child?
The advances in technology can ensure that your child is healthy and free from any genetic/ hereditary diseases. This can be counted as another benefit of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
What is Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) exactly?
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis is a test carried out prior to implantation of embryos during IVF to detect any genetic abnormality in them. The objective of PGD is to implant genetically fit embryos and increase the possibilities of a healthy baby in the future.
Who is Eligible for Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis or PGD is done right before implantation of the embryo during the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). However, there are certain situations where special attention is required.
So, Who Benefits from the Tests?
- Couples who have increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities or hereditary disorders
- Couples who already have a child who is facing genetic disabilities or chromosomal mutations (any alteration of gene/ DNA sequence)
- A family history of hereditary problems
- Sperm abnormalities & deformities
- Women over the age of 38
- Women who faced several miscarriages in the past
- Mother or father is the carrier of certain genetic disorders like single-gene disorders like cystic fibrosis and sickle-cell anemia.
PGD is not only meant for the infertile. The fertile couples facing genetic disorders or are doubtful about any such chromosomal abnormalities must also go through the procedure of PGD. The fertile couples wishing to go through pre-implantation genetic diagnosis follow the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) way to pregnancy for a healthy child in the future.
Importance of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
- Detection of Hereditary issues
The presence of hereditary defects in your newborn can result in his/her poor development. Genetic testing such as Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) can help detect known genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities. Medical experts dealing with PGD detect the embryos for any genetic disorders.
- Preventing Unhealthy Embryos
The medical experts identify the embryos with inherited deformities and prevent the transfer of such embryo. Therefore, PGD plays a big role in identifying abnormal embryos, preventing unhealthy embryos from being transferred to the uterus.
- Decreases the risks in pregnancy
The procedure of PGD involves pre-testing of embryos before embryo transfer. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis reduces multiple risks in pregnancy by identifying healthy embryos for implantation.
- Parents need not worry about carrying forward their genetic disorders
The embryo is tested prior to implantation. Therefore, it is free from any hereditary defects. It decreases the risk of couples or individuals with serious inherited disorders for having children affected with the same problem.
The Process of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
The Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) takes place during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) before the embryo transfer and implantation. The process of PGD includes the following steps.
- In the process of IVF, the medical expert for fertilization chooses the best quality of eggs from the ovary and sperm is mixed with the eggs to initiate the process. This results in the formation of embryos.
- The embryos develop into an 8-cell stage by day 3 or 5.
- On reaching this point by day 5, extraction of a cell of an embryo is done by the method of embryo biopsy.
- The small part of the embryo is analysed. This process is also known as the embryo or genetic screening or PGD. The cells are checked for any genetic disorders and deformities.
- After testing, only the healthy embryos that are devoid of any genetic disorders and hereditary problems are transferred to the uterus for implantation.
Therefore, the PGD process can be summed up in these three following words.
Extract - Analyse - Transfer
Genetic Counselling & PGD
A word with the professionals prior to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is called Genetic Counselling. The importance of genetic counseling lies in the fact that it ensures professional approval and clears out the confusion and dilemma. A genetic counselor will ask you about your family history and find out about any related genetic disorder. They help you in making the right decision.
PGD is almost 100% accurate. Going for IVF?
You must consult the professionals for a genetic checkup and a healthier child thereafter.
