RMI
Reproductive Medicine Institute

Call 888.331.3336

Improve Your Chances, Reduce your Risk

Genetic Diagnosis in the Chicago area

Genetic diagnosis is used prior to implantation during in vitro fertilization, and is often referred to as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The screening is conducted on the embryo or the female egg (oocyte) before any implantation occurs. Genetic diagnosis has been in practice since the early 1990s, and Reproductive Medicine Institute has been using the screening process for many years. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis allows our patients from the greater Chicago, Illinois area an opportunity to prevent a pregnancy that may be affected by chromosomal disorders (aneuploidy), genetic conditions, or disease. If future disease or complications can be prevented for your child, why would you not want to go the extra mile? Genetic diagnosis allows you to limit potentially unseen or unknown genetic traits and disorders that may negatively influence your child’s health at birth or in the future.

How Can Genetic Diagnosis Help Me?

Prior to implantation, genetic diagnosis is performed to determine any potential “at-risk” eggs or embryos: any that exhibit potential anatomical, physiological, or genetic conditions that could lead to a disease after birth. Genetic diagnosis looks to identify a number of conditions, including:

  • Aneuploidy – Chromosome conditions such as Down and Turner Syndrome, as well as trisomy 18 and 13, that can lead to miscarriages. The risk of aneuploidy also increases with age.
  • Single Gene Disorders – Tay Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy are a few of the gene disorders that can be found with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.
  • Chromosomal Translocation – By eliminating the possibility of translocation, the chances of a miscarriage are greatly reduced. The risk of birth defects and mental retardation are also reduced significantly thanks to genetic diagnosis.
  • HLA Status – For patients looking to have a child who is a likely bone marrow match to another family member, HLA testing can be performed during genetic diagnosis while searching for a specific genetic condition.

As genetic diagnosis continues to improve, its use will surely become more contentious. Already some predispositions to late-onset diseases, like cancer, are able to be diagnosed and potentially prevented.

In order to offer our patients the latest in the everchanging field of Genetic Medicine and Diagnois, Reproductive Medicine Institute is proud to partner with Reproductive Genetics Institute (www.reproductivegenetics.com), an international organization headquartered in the Chicagoland area.  RGI pioneered the polar body biopsy and removal technology that is widely used during PGD today. 

Learn More about Genetic Diagnosis

While genetic diagnosis is routinely performed for in vitro fertilization patients prior to implantation, it can also be used by couples and individuals who can reproduce traditionally, but are still concerned about passing on detrimental genetic traits or disease. Whatever your reason for undergoing the procedure, our fertility specialists will help you better understand genetic diagnosis at one of our centers in the Chicago, Illinois area. Our board-certified physicians have the experience necessary to provide the most advanced fertility services. To speak with a fertility specialist about genetic diagnosis, contact Reproductive Medicine Institute today.