Health
The Cost of Preimplantation Genetic Screening
The use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis is possible exclusively within the framework of an IVF program. Several years ago, it was a real breakthrough in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.
The ability to determine genetic disorders at the stage of preimplantation development is a chance to significantly increase the effectiveness of infertility treatment. Of course, it helps to achieve the main goal – the birth of a healthy baby.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is recommended if there are genetic disorders in one or both prospective parents. If a man and a woman have abnormalities in their karyotype, PGD is one of the most important steps in the algorithm for preventing the birth of a child with pathology and the onset of pregnancy by a fetus with pathology.
In this case, PGD involves the examination of embryos for aneuploidy of chromosomes involved in translocation, as well as the most common chromosomal abnormalities.
Reproductive specialists recommend undergoing PGD if a woman is over 35 years old. Unfortunately, there are medical statistics that suggest that in the late reproductive period, there is an increased risk of having a child with genetic pathology, including serious diseases, malformations of various organs and systems.
Сommon reasons for PGD
- cases of birth of a child with hereditary and congenital abnormalities in medical history;
- diagnosed balanced chromosomal aberrations (translocations, etc.) in a couple;
- women aged 35 and older;
- 2 or more unsuccessful attempts of IVF in past medical history;
- cases of death of a child due to Rh incompatibility;
- miscarriages during 4-8 weeks’ gestation in the past;
- predisposition to cancer in one of the parents;
- high percentage of spermatozoa with a genetic pathology in men.
There are different methods of conducting the examination, and the total preimplantation genetic diagnosis cost depends on the chosen technique greatly.
For example, CGH, comparative genomic hybridization, implies a comprehensive study of the complete structure of DNA and gives accurate information about the genetic structure of the embryo. However, this technique takes a lot of time and has a high price.
On the other hand, FISH, fluorescent in situ hybridization, is a more affordable and widely used method aimed at studying key pairs of chromosomes. With its help, the most common pathology can be identified, but it doesn’t study the complete structure of DNA.
You can learn about other available methods on https://ivf-international.com/.
Whatever method is chosen, preimplantation diagnosis allows fertility specialists to successfully implement the current trend of modern reproductive medicine. This is the selective transfer of one healthy embryo and the onset of one-fetus pregnancy since multiple gestation has its own risks.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login