We know that every parent wants a healthy, happy baby. To help increase the likelihood of giving birth to a healthy child, Salus offers Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). PGD is often used in conjunction with In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to help choose the healthiest embryos for implantation into a woman’s uterus. It is one of the best techniques available to assist doctors in identifying and avoiding certain serious genetic diseases, and allows your baby to have a healthy start.
What is PGD?
PGD is a simple test to help diagnose genetic disorders in embryos before they are transferred to a woman’s uterus. The test helps identify genetic abnormalities that may lead to disease during or after a child’s birth. PGD testing is minimally invasive the embryo and is used as a screening method to determine if a disease is present.
How does PGD work?
To perform PGD testing, a fertility specialist will remove one or more cells from the embryo using a high-powered microscope. These cells are then tested by our embryology team for specific genetic traits of interest that are linked to genetic disorders. Options for PGD at Salus include:
Who is a good candidate for PGD?
Many couples choose PGD because they are concerned about genetic disorders that could be passed along to their children. PGD is also an optional choice for couples who are experiencing repeat pregnancy loss (miscarriage) due to genetic disorders, and for couples who already have one child with a genetic disorder and are at high risk of having another child share the disorder. PGD testing makes it possible to decrease the risk of having a child who carries a genetic abnormality.
What genetic issues can PGD identify?
Our single gene analysis testing screens embryos for a number of inherited disorders including Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X, Myotonic Dystrophy, Thalasaemia, Tay Sachs, and others. Every couple may have a different reason for choosing to pursue PGD. Your doctor can work with you to determine which type of PDG analysis is most appropriate.