Embryo Screening in the Whomb

Scanning for what???

Embryo Screening is the earliest stage to detect any possible problems in the pregnancy, which may affect either you or your baby.

About one in every forty babies is born with an abnormality. This may be anything from a minor abnormality, such as an extra toe, or a more serious problem such as a heart defect. Many different tests may be used to detect different problems.

Ultrasound scan: an ultrasound is used to detect any disorders or problems which maybe occurring. Ultrasounds are safe and will not harm your baby. An ultrasound scan in the first 4 months of your pregnancy can be useful in dating your pregnancy. At 11 to 14 weeks, an ultrasound maybe used to assess the risk of the baby having Down’s syndrome. This scan is called a nuchal translucency scan. It measures a rim of fluid behind the neck of the baby. The thicker the rim of fluid, the greater is the chances that the baby could have this syndrome.

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Why not embryo scan?

Early stages of pregnancy

this fetus is in the early stages of pregnancy and may contain defects that could be detected by embryo screening.

Biopsy of PGD

The Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) technique requires the use of a test tube baby to test the embryos for genetic disorders before it is implanted in the womb.

There are two methods when using PGD.

· FISH (Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization) analysis. This technique utilizes fluorescent probes, which are specified for chromosomes. Currently, the technique enables up to five chromosomes to be detected simultaneously in a single cell.

PCR (Polymerase chain reaction). This technique allows amplification of selected DNA fragments extracted form the nucleus and used to detect a mutation of a single gene.

Testing devices known as “gene chips” are allowing scientists to track the activity not of one gene but of thousands.