Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a technique that can be used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) to test embryos for a variety of genetic disorders. PGD testing is done before the embryo is transferred to the uterus. This would allow you and your partner to decrease the risk of having a child with a serious inherited disorder.

When is PGD used?

PGD is generally used with couples who have lost pregnancies due to genetic disorders, who already have one child with a genetic problem, or who are carriers of a genetic disease. The procedure may detect Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia A, Tay-Sachs disease, and Turner syndrome, along with other disorders.

PGD is performed in the laboratory by removing a single cell from each embryo. This cell is then analyzed for the presence of genetic disorders. Once a diagnosis is made, which usually takes about a day, only unaffected embryos are transferred back into a woman's uterus.

If you are considering PGD you should talk with your healthcare provider about potential risks associated with this technique. Not all disorders can be detected with PGD.

To determine if you are a candidate for PGD talk with your healthcare provider.