Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: Relieving women from experiencing the oddities of abnormal pregnancies

One of the benefits of opting for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is that patients may be tested for potential genetic problems before attempting a cycle. Medical terminology of Pre-implantatio Genetic Screening (PGS), which details the screening of embryos of Day 3 or Day 5 of the IVF cycle, screens the embryos entire chromosomal complement, and then test it for normalcy. “PGS helps couples and doctors determine if the embryos have genetic anomalies. After testing embryos for abnormality, the doctors transfer the normal embryos into the uterus, which is expected to term into healthy pregnancies, in the form of chromosomally normal offsprings,” says Dr Gautam Allahbadia, an IVF consultant and head of the Millennium Medical Centre (MMC) IVF Dubai. PGS and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis are additional services which can offer peace of mind to those wanting to rule out problems. Both processes are carried out on fertilized eggs, or “pre-embryos”. How does PGS check for chromosomal abnormalities? Pre-implantatio Genetic Screening (PGS) requires an embryo’s biopsy for which the embryologist creates a hole in the outer shell of the embryo, gently evacuates one cell or a couple of cells that are then sent for genetic analysis. This analysis screens the embryos’ entire chromosomal complement, and then tests it for normalcy. With PGS IVF, we can comfortably keep the embryos outside, and continuously review them, preventing repeated miscarriages. We transfer the normal embryos into the uterus, which is expected to term into healthy pregnancies, in the form of chromosomally normal offsprings. It is possible to avoid conceiving a child with potentially debilitating genetic diseases by opting for preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) before the embryo is implanted. Researchers at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), “Genetic screening may help identify couples who have an increased risk of age-related or familial genetic disorders and birth defects. No single test, however, can accurately predict the risk of all defects in a child.” Who all can opt for PGS? PGS is a suitable choice for the patient going through IVF. It is carried out following the egg fertilization stage of IVF, so it does not add a significant amount of time onto the process at all. Opting to carry out IVF with PGS or PGD at IVI is a great way to save time, which makes it ideal for those who are nervous about long waiting hours at other clinics. The next-generation technology of PGS has proven to be a miracle for women who previously suffered the oddities of abnormal pregnancies, helping couples procreate genetically healthy offsprings.