Transmission of genetic problems from parents to children through IVF
Parents always take umpteen precautionary measures to ensure that their babies are safe and healthy. The present generation of parents go an extra mile to secure the health of their child. But there are still a few grey areas where creating awareness is essential. One of such is genetic testing and its role in treating birth abnormalities.
One
of the key treatment options for infertility is IVF. IVF involves combining
eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once an embryo or embryos are formed,
they are injected into the uterus for a successful conception. Today,
technological advancements in the field of IVF have made it feasible to detect
genetic disorders at the embryonic stage. This allows specialists to choose the
best embryo with minimal risk of genetically transmittible diseases and
conditions. Millions of children are born worldwide following IVF treatments.
The majority of IVF babies are very healthy. Some important points to note
about IVF babies are
- One
important risk in the process of IVF is the risk of multiple pregnancies
(twins or more) from transferring more than one embryo. At GarbhaGudi IVF
Centre, we are working very hard to reduce the risk of high order multiple
pregnancies by implanting fewer embryos, usually only one or two depending on
your age. We transfer fewer embryos with higher pregnancy rates due to our
excellent success with blastocyst culture. A
blastocyst is an embryonic stage about five days after fertilization when
the cells separate into the embryo and the placenta.
- Babies born
out of IVF do not carry any additional risk of being abnormal when
compared to babies conceived naturally. This is the summary of a lot of
research that has happened over decades, across countries, across
different age groups and demographics. Couples who are experiencing
infertility have a higher risk of having an abnormal child, if conceived
naturally, especially if the age is higher or if there are hereditary
factors. Men with very low sperm counts are at a higher risk of having a
chromosomal abnormality & couples suffering from any genetic disorders
themselves (active or dormant) are at the risk of passing on to the
baby.
In such a case, it is
good to consider IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This form of
testing ensures that children don’t inherit the gene mutations from their
parents. This method identifies a defect in an embryo before it is implanted
back in the womb at embryo transfer.
Genetic Testing’s role in Reducing
Congenital Abnormalities:
Today,
reproductive science can address the genetic problems. Using preimplantation genetic
screening (PGS) & preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) during an IVF
cycle can help detect many chromosomal abnormalities.
With
PGS and PGD, we can identify genetically abnormal IVF embryos that would result
in infant abnormalities or failed pregnancy and not transfer those into the
mother. After a successful pregnancy too, there are various tests and screening
during early pregnancy, such as amniocentesis or double marker test, triple
marker test, quadruple marker test, anomaly scans etc., we can detect majority
of the small percent of IVF babies who do have an abnormality.
General births vs. IVF births:
Congenital
abnormalities are rare. Several studies have indicated that couples with infertility,
whether conceiving naturally or through other non-IVF treatment, have the same
risk of defects as those undergoing IVF. Recent studies suggest that if the
sperm count is normal, there is no increase in defects with ICSI.
IVF and infant
development
The
vast majority of studies show that infant development is normal in children
conceived through IVF. The risk factor in infant developmental problems is
premature delivery, more common in multiple pregnancies (twins etc.).
The
good news is that IVF can help many infertile couples have children without an
abnormality. Advancements in genetic testing and technology have improved our
ability to detect abnormalities at an early stage and address the same. Couples
opting for IVF should discuss genetic testing options with their fertility
doctor to determine if this service is appropriate for them.
GarbhaGudi
IVF Centre is breaking barriers & helping build families. Since 2011, we
have pioneered fertility treatment for every kind of fertility challenge. We
have been awarded the best IVF & Fertility Hospital in India for the year
2021. We are committed to our work & want to help you achieve your dream of
having a baby.
Contact our fertility specialists to know more about safe pregnancy through IVF to welcome your happy & healthy baby.
For more details,
Visit: www.garbhagudi.com
Call: 8880000909
Email: dreams@garbhagudi.com
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