Malpani Infertility
Clinic has achieved Asia’s first pregnancy after
using the technique of embryo biopsy for preimplantation
genetic diagnosis (PGD).
PGD, the newest IVF technology, combines molecular
genetics and assisted reproductive technology, and allows
doctors to identify genetic diseases in the embryo,
prior to implantation, before the pregnancy is established.
This means that the newest (and youngest!) patient for
medicine is now the embryo.
Malpani Infertility Clinic has achieved the first pregnancy
in Asia using this technique to prevent Down’s
syndrome (trisomy 21 or mongolism). Down’s syndrome,
a common genetic disease, is a leading cause of mental
retardation, and occurs because of an extra copy of
chromosome 21. The disease is commoner in children born
to older women..
Our patient was concerned about her risk of having
a child with Down’s syndrome, because her nephew
had this disease. We did an IVF cycle for her, and on
the 3rd day, the 8-cell embryos were biopsed. to obtain
blastomeres (single cells) for genetic analysis. This
was carried out by using the molecular cytogenetic technique
of FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridisation) with DNA
probes specific for the 21 chromosome. After confirming
that the embryos were chromosomally normal, the unaffected
embryos were transferred back into the uterus. She conceived
in her first treatment cycle, and is now 10 weeks pregnant.
PGD can be used to prevent other genetic diseases as
well, such as the X-linked genetic disorders (hemophilia
and Duchenne muscular dystrophy) as well as single-gene
defects (such as thalassemia).
PGD is also used in order to increase pregnancy rates
for older infertile women; and for selected women with
recurrent miscarriages.
PGD is a highly sophisticated technique, and is available
in only a few clinics in the world, because it needs
both advanced IVF and genetic expertise.
Malpani Infertility Clinic is very pleased to be able
to provide the facility of PGD - preimplantation genetic
diagnosis - the newest ART for the first time in India.
We are the only clinic which offers this service in
India, and have achieved India's first pregnancy after
PGD.
You can read more about this technique in an article
which appeared in Outlook
magazine.
Find out more about PGD
here!
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