Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) in in vitro fertilisation (IVF)

Background

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) is a form of prenatal genetic diagnosis of embryos to detect abnormal chromosome numbers before insertion of the embryo during in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Embryos are normally assessed for morphology before insertion in the woman’s uterus, but with PGT-A embryos are also analysed for the number of chromosomes. An abnormal number of chromosomes can increase the risk for early miscarriage and is more common in older women. Theoretically, if only embryos with a normal number of chromosomes are inserted it increases the chances of a successful IVF treatment. PGT-A is not allowed in Sweden (SFS 2006:351 4 kap 2§), but other forms of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defects (PGT-M) or structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) are. However, PGT-A is used in other countries such as Finland, UK and USA. According to professionals working with IVF in Sweden there is a need for a synthesis of knowledge to find out if PGT-A can increase the chance for a successful IVF treatment for certain groups of patients.

Project group

Experts:

• Christina Bergh, Professor and Specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset and Västra Götalands regionen, Göteborg
• Britt Friberg, Senior lecturer and Specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, Lunds IVF Center, Lund and Barnmorskemottagningen LIVIO, Malmö
• Erik Iwarsson, Senior lecturer and Specialist in genetics, Karolinska universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm
• Kersti Lundin, Senior lecturer and Embryologist, Sahlgrenska universitetssjukhuset, Göteborg
• Erik Malmqvist, Senior lecturer in medical ethics, Göteborgs universitet, Göteborg

From SBU:

• Susanne Johansson, Project Manager
• Lisa Forsberg, Assistant Project Manager
• Jan Adolfsson, Assistant Project Manager
• Maria Ahlberg, Project Administrator
• Maja Kärrman Fredriksson, Information Specialist