Preimplantation Genetic Screening: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Women suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss are prime candidates for preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). RPL, or Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, is established when a woman has suffered two or more pregnancy losses within 20 weeks of the gestation period (period of embryonic development). Usually, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss refers to a status of unknown cause of pregnancy loss. Preimplantation genetic screening helps to decode the reasons for recurrent loss of pregnancy.

PGS and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

It should be understood PGS is a bit different from standard PGD testing methods when repeated pregnancy loss is indicated. PGD testing is usually recommended when either or both of the parents undergoing IVF treatment have a personal or family history of genetic disorders. Preimplantation Genetic Screening that involves specific testing measures like FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) is also recommended to IVF couples who may not have a history of genetic disorders, but present a history of recurring miscarriages.

Use of Preimplantation Genetic Screening in Preventing RPL

One of the main causes of undiagnosable, recurrent pregnancy loss is chromosomal abnormalities in the form of chromosome translocations. Such causes cannot be decoded through the regular health checkups and pregnancy testing techniques. Similarly, the early loss of pregnancy, just a few weeks into a pregnancy, is highly suggestive of aneuploidy, i.e., chromosomal abnormality due to more or less than the normal number of chromosomes.

This is particularly useful for first or second trimester pregnancy loss. PGS is very useful in this regard. In fact, PGS is often referred to as Aneuploidy Screening, because of its ability to identify aneuploidies in the embryos with appreciable accuracy. The use of PGS is particularly recommended to IVF women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss who are of advanced maternal age, and those who have a history of recurring IVF failure.

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