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Home » Fertility Treatments » Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

IVF embryos are screened for genetic disease prior to transfer and before a pregnancy can be established.

Who can benefit from PGD?

This can be used to screen for known single gene disorders, translocation and some of the more common chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome.

How is PGD done?

  • An embryo biopsy is performed on day three after egg collection following IVF/ICSI treatment
  • Just one or two cells are removed through a tiny hole in the outer shell of the embryo
  • The biopsied cells are tested using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridisation to screen for the nine chromosomes most involved in anomalies
  • Embryos are kept in culture whilst waiting for results
  • Embryos with no chromosome imbalance can be transferred or frozen for future use

PGD results are not 100% accurate. At best, accuracy is approximately 90% for chromosomal screening or up to 98% if screened for a specific genetic condition. Confirmatory prenatal diagnosis is strongly recommended. Prenatal diagnosis has greater than 99% accuracy with thousands of cells available for testing.