Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a very early method of prenatal diagnosis which was designed for couples who are at risk of transmitting an inherited disease to their children. The major advantage of PGD is for couples to avoid going through the stress of a termination or a miscarriage.
Chromosome abnormalities are a major category of genetic disease and account for a large proportion of reproductive wastage, congenital malformations and mental retardation. A chromosome abnormality reflects an abnormality of chromosome number or structure. This is where Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is useful.
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for Thalassemia & Sickle Cell
PGD can be used with a very high success in the prevention of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell affected babies. It is very important that couples have adequate genetic counselling before proceeding for this treatment.