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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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