PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS/SCREENING

PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS/SCREENING

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis/screening (PGD/PGS) refers to the testing or screening of the embryos to detect abnormalities before they are transferred into the womb (uterus). Small pieces of the embryos (called biopsies) are taken with a laser machine and sent to the laboratory for testing. This ensures that only normal embryos are transferred into the uterus. The main advantage of doing this is that the baby/babies are not likely to have abnormalities and the pregnancies rates are higher because normal embryos are transferred.

Some of the reasons why PGD/PGS is done include: Older women more than 35 years undergoing IVF because they tend to have a higher risk of abnormal embryos, Couples who are both carriers of the sickle cell gene, this way they can avoid having a child with sickle cell disease.

RUMA FERTILITY AND SPECIALIST HOSPITAL LTD is the only IVF centre in Ghana running this programme.