CHENNAI:Here is some good news for couples undergoing IVF. A new revolutionary technology allows detection of genetic abnormalities that cannot be detected by looking at the morphology of embryos under a microscope. Called Array CGH, which has a predicted accuracy of 98 per cent for detecting chromosome abnormalities, infertility experts are vouching for the latest technology. Dr D Dakshayani, clinical director, Nova IVI Fertility, Chennai said, “Chromosomal or genetic screening can help prevent chromosomal abnormalities most commonly seen in women opting for pregnancy at an advanced age of 38 or more, those suffering from recurrent implantation failure (embryo transfer done 3 or more times with no success), history of recurrent miscarriage or with a previous pregnancy with a chromosome error such as down syndrome & severe male factor infertility.”
Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for about 70 per cent of miscarriages in early pregnancy. It can be due to a faulty egg or faulty sperm which results in chromosomally abnormal embryos.
Dr Dakshayani said, “Traditionally used karyotyping for couples does not give full information about chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo or the developing foetus. We at Nova IVI Fertility are the pioneers to use Array CGH technology in India. The main advantage of this technology is that only chromosomally normal embryos are transferred for a successful pregnancy. It increases the implantation and ongoing pregnancy rate for IVF patients. Moreover,we can do single embryo transfer to reduce multiple pregnancies, reduces the time taken for a woman to get pregnant, lowers the incidence for miscarriage and most importantly reduces the risk of abnormalities at birth.”