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For couples at risk of having children affected by an inherited disease, pre-implantation genetic screening is a valuable alternative to conventional prenatal diagnosis by chorion villus sampling or amniocentesis, since it avoids the uncertainty and trauma associated with diagnosis late in an established pregnancy.  With PGD, fertile couples have IVF treatment so that the early embryo is accessible, allowing single cells to be removed by embryo biopsy for genetic analysis and diagnosis before transfer and implantation in the uterus.

Single Gene Defects or HLA Matching

To develop a test for a single gene defect (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis, Marfan Syndrome and Sickle Cell) and HLA matching, we use a technique that combines genetic linkage testing with traditional mutation analysis.  Test development can take up to six months and will require blood samples from you and your partner and, possibly, additional family members.  When test development has been completed, testing of the embryo can take place.

Chromosome imbalance in translocation carriers

For men with a chromosome rearrangement, a sperm translocation test is recommended to identify the proportion of sperm present with an unbalanced form of the translocation in a semen sample.  Most test development takes from 4-8 weeks and will require blood samples from you and your partner and, possibly, additional family members.  When test development has been completed, testing of the embryo can take place. 

Aneuploidy

Aneuploidy screening is a procedure that screens for the number of chromosomes present in an embryo.  By screening embryos and only transferring those with no identifiable genetic abnormalities, we aim to reduce the risk of having a child with a chromosome abnormality, reduce the risk of miscarriage and provide useful diagnostic information regarding the likelihood of success through IVF treatment.

Majority of your treatment including consultations, drug therapy
and monitoring will take place at Holly House Hospital but please be aware
that egg collection, mixing of sperm and eggs, embryo culturing and
embryo replacement are all carried out at CRM London.