In a recent conversation with Contemporary OB/GYN, Dr. Daniel Potter, MD, FACOG, the medical director at HRC Fertility in Newport Beach, California, discussed the significant role of embryo testing, particularly pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), in enhancing the prediction and prevention of miscarriages.
Dr. Potter began by addressing the unpredictable nature of miscarriage, noting that it often results from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. One of the leading causes of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester, is aneuploidy—an abnormal number of chromosomes in the embryo. He highlighted that 30-50% of spontaneous pregnancy losses in the first trimester can be attributed to aneuploidy.
At HRC Fertility, embryo testing is conducted using in vitro fertilization (IVF). The embryos are biopsied, and their DNA is analyzed to identify any chromosomal abnormalities. This allows doctors to discard embryos with aneuploidy, thus dramatically lowering the risk of miscarriage. The process also helps identify embryos more likely to result in a successful pregnancy, thereby improving IVF success rates. Moreover, PGD can screen for genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Edwards syndrome, ensuring that only healthy embryos are transferred.
Beyond its role in miscarriage prevention, PGD offers significant maternal and infant health advantages. Early detection of chromosomal abnormalities reduces the likelihood of abnormal live births and increases the chances of a successful pregnancy. Dr. Potter emphasized that PGD is especially beneficial for patients with recurrent miscarriages, which are defined as two or more unexplained pregnancy losses during the first trimester. This technology aids in identifying viable embryos, improving implantation rates, and even offering options like gender selection.
Dr. Potter concluded by noting that PGD is a revolutionary development in reproductive medicine over the past three decades. He encouraged clinicians to adopt this advanced technique in their practice, particularly for patients who have experienced recurrent miscarriages or who are seeking higher success rates in IVF. By screening embryos prior to transfer, PGD offers a more targeted and effective approach to fertility treatments, marking it as a transformative tool in reproductive health.
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