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

The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness on fertilisation treatment and the safety of PGT-A in women undergoing IVF treatment. Ethical and health economic aspects concerning PGT-A in IVF will also be assessed.

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SBU Assessment

Presents a comprehensive, systematic assessment of available scientific evidence for effects on health, social welfare or disability. Full assessments include economic, social and ethical impact analyses. Assessment teams include professional practitioners and academics. Before publication the report is reviewed by external experts, and scientific conclusions approved by the SBU Board of Directors.

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Planned to be published: Quarter 2, 2025 Registration no: SBU 2023/710

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, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
  • Erik Malmqvist, Senior lecturer in medical ethics, Göteborgs universitet, Göteborg

From SBU

  • Susanne Johansson, Project Manager
  • Fanny Sellberg, Assistant Project Manager
  • Jan Adolfsson, Assistant Project Manager
  • Jenny Berg, Health Economist
  • Martina Lundqvist, Health Economist
  • Maria Ahlberg, Project Administrator
  • Maja Kärrman Fredriksson, Information Specialist
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