Who Needs Genetic Testing of Embryos, and Why
When you ask people whether they are hoping for a boy or girl, most will say they just want a healthy baby. Yet for men and women whose families are plagued with heritable diseases like CF or sickle cell, passing a disorder down to their child is a constant worry.
Genetic testing of embryos through our Tennessee fertility center can put their minds at ease. Known as preimplantation genetic testing, or PGT, it can also unlock the mystery behind some patients’ struggles to get or stay pregnant.
PGT is a broad term that includes both preimplantation genetic diagnosis, which checks for a specific, known disorder; and preimplantation genetic screening, which searches for any chromosomal abnormalities that could lead to pregnancy loss or infertility. Both types of tests help patients make more-informed decisions about the next steps on their journey to parenthood today, while frozen embryos allow for future pregnancies.
Genetic testing of embryos helps us identify healthy embryos so that parents have the fastest path and the best chance to have one successful pregnancy at a time.
Candidates for genetic testing of embryos
If you or your partner’s family has a history of inherited diseases, PGT may help reduce the risk of passing those diseases down. Genetic testing of embryos with PGD is a good option if there is a history of:
- Single-gene disorders, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia
- Sex-linked disorders, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or Fragile X syndrome
- Known status as a carrier of a chromosomal abnormality
PGS can help patients understand more about the causes of infertility, as it can look for any chromosomal abnormalities that may cause fertility treatments to fail or pregnancies to be lost to miscarriage.
Is PGT right for you?
If you’re considering genetic testing of embryos, your fertility specialist may recommend preconception testing and a consultation with a geneticist. Contact us to schedule an appointment at our Tennessee fertility center.
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