Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) | Dr Rama Sofat Hospital

             Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure used prior to implantation to help identify genetic defects within embryos. This serves to prevent certain genetic diseases or disorders from being passed on to the child. The embryos used in PGD are usually created during the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Who can benefit from PGD?
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis can benefit any couple at risk for passing on a genetic disease or condition as explained by Dr Rama Sofat.

The following is a list of the type of individuals who are possible candidates for PGD:

• Carriers of sex-linked genetic disorders
• Carriers of single gene disorders
• Those with chromosomal disorders
• Women age 35 and over
• Women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss

What are the benefits of PGD?
The following are considered benefits of PGD:

PGD can test for more than 100 different genetic conditions.
The procedure is performed before implantation thus allowing the couple to decide if they wish to continue with the pregnancy.
The procedure enables couples to pursue biological children who might not have done so otherwise as described by Dr Rama Sofat..

How is the PGD performed?
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis begins with the normal process of in vitro fertilization that includes egg retrieval and fertilization in a laboratory. Over the next three to five days, the embryos will divide into multiple cells.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis involves the following steps:

1.First, a couple/few cells are microsurgically removed from the embryos, which are about 5 days developed. After this cell collection, the embryos are safely frozen.

2.The DNA of the cells is then evaluated to determine if the inheritance of a problematic gene is present in each embryo. This process takes at least one full week.

3.Once PGD has identified embryos free of genetic problems, the embryo(s) will be placed in the uterus (usually by an IVF procedure), and the wait for implantation and a positive pregnancy test begins.


4.Any additional embryos that are free of genetic problems are kept frozen for possible later use while embryos with the problematic gene(s) are destroyed. This testing process may take weeks.