PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis)
PGD, or preimplantation genetic diagnosis, is a method that aims to ensure that babies are born healthy. It is an application in which embryos developed during IVF treatment are evaluated after genetic screening and transferred to the mother. Preimplantation genetic screening detects chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, known as aneuploidy. During this screening, the embryos’ chromosome count is determined. While aneuploidy can be seen in the mother’s and father’s eggs and sperms, it is transmitted to the embryo through abnormal fertilization. This condition may cause problems with the baby’s mental or physical development. PGD screening ensures that the baby is born with a healthy chromosome count.
Who Should PGD Be Used On?Who Should PGD Be Used On?
PGD is used in couples with genetic problems, such as future mothers and fathers who carry a genetic risk for balanced structural translocation, cystic fibrosis, or thalassemia. These embryos are unable to attach to the mother’s uterus, resulting in a miscarriage. Serious health issues may arise in the babies who survive birth.
Furthermore, future mothers who want to become mothers after the age of 35, women with a history of recurrent miscarriages, individuals who have experienced chromosome anomaly in their previous pregnancy, and those whose previous IVF treatments have failed, should undergo PGD should be used in all cases where there is aneuploidy in the sperm or aneuploid mosaicism in one of the couples.
Things You Need To Know About PGD
Even though PGD has a higher success rate than traditional methods, it does not guarantee a 100% success rate. Following a transfer to the mother’s uterus, a miscarriage problem may occur. Technical issues may arise during the preparation and screening stages. PGD cannot detect all chromosomal abnormalities. PGD can perform numerical and structural evaluations as well as diagnose single gene disorders.
PGD is subdivided into various titles within itself.
Which Diseases Are Diagnosed With PGD?
Major diseases that are diagnosed with PGD are as follows;
• Structural anomalies
• Single gene disorder
• Disorders based on chromosome count
• X-Linked diseases
What Are The Advantages of PGD Application?
• A genetic screening performed prior to embryo transfer can be used to identify healthy embryos.
• Because chromosome-based problems can be identified ahead of time, the risk of miscarriage for the future mother is reduced.
• Tissue typing for genetic disorders such as DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy), Cystic Fibrosis, Thalassemia (Mediterranean Anemia), and others can be performed using PGD. As a result, a treatment option for the couple’s sick child becomes available.
• It is a program that protects the family from psychological and medical risks associated with pregnancy termination.
