PGD (Embryo Biopsy)

If you’re a candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF), you’ve probably learned a lot of new information before making the decision, and that likely includes a whole new vocabulary. There are a few more acronyms you should know if you don’t already: PGD and PGS, which are pre-implantation genetic tests. Although these terms may be used interchangeably, they are actually different.
Preimplantation genetic testing is performed before embryo transfer during IVF so that doctors may pick one without a known or suspected gene problem (PGD), or one without an abnormal number of chromosomes (PGS). The goal of both PGD and PGS is to increase the chance of selecting a healthy embryo that will develop into a healthy baby. These advances can make a real difference as birth defects occur in nearly one in 20 pregnancies, ranging in severity from minor anatomic abnormalities to extensive genetic disorders, including mental retardation

Who benefits most from PGD?

PGD is generally used by couples with a family history of a serious or deadly disease who worry about passing it on to their offspring. PGD helps by looking for specific markers for a certain disease, for example, single gene disorders including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. It is also used when there’s a family history of sex-linked disorders including Fragile X syndrome and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Parents may also use PGD to find matching stem cells for other siblings in need of a bone marrow transplant.