Possible long term (neurological) effects of PGD?

[Dazey]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the board and strongly considering PGD for both recurrent miscarriages and family balancing.

Have any of the doctors or anyone else who has researched PGD extensively answered the question of long term, possible neurological effects of children born as a result of PGD after looking at the mouse study? This is the one thing that gives me pause, and I'm really struggling with it. I know that taking a cell from a developing embryo on day 3 isn't necessarily an issue when looking at things like natural twinning, but what about cutting a hole in the shell to obtain the cell?

[nuthinbutpink]

Well, assisted hatching is pretty routine for all of IVF. That's the same hole used for biopsy.

HT is not for everyone. A mouse study done in 2009 that shows a possible increase in weight and memory issues is a far cry from what happens in the human population. There are no long-term PGD studies. We cannot know what may happen 50 years from now. Life is risk. Having babies is risky no matter how you have them. It has been discussed on here and people with infertility issues are at a higher risk for having children with issues.

This is the only way for a gender guarantee and there are risks at every step of the way.

All I can tell you is that my HT child is bright, well adjusted and he is no different than my naturally conceived children. HT may not be for you though if you have a low tolerance for risk.

[Dazey]

Thanks for your reply nuthinbutpink. I didn't know about assisted hatching, and the RE I visited for a consultation never mentioned it. He mentioned taking a laser and removing part of the shell as opposed to using acid as they did back when the procedure was newer to remove the cells. Obviously I need to read more about IVF in general.

At the moment I am about 80% on board and my husband is 100%, but I'm trying to gather all the information I can to feel completely comfortable before we make the leap. Are the study/long term effects discussed further in the private forum?

[nuthinbutpink]

There are discussions about risks, yes. The first PGD baby was born in 1990. The first thousand in 2002. There are no long term studies to discuss. The first IVF baby is only 34. There is no long term information out there to discuss.

AH is the same as the hole made for biopsy. You can do a day 5 biopsy on a hatching embryo if you choose and that would eliminate any artificial hole. It's what they do at SART in Thailand.

You have to remember that all human studies are made up of infertility patients not those doing this electively for GS. Infertility patients may have underlying issues that contribute to the health of their children. That's genetics. The alternative for them is no baby so you must take the risk. There's always risk. The greatest risk you will face is it not working. It far outweighs any other risk you can google.

[glory]

If you are going to use IVF for another baby anyway, they will more than likely assisted hatch it on day 3 anyway. I think that you will lessen the risk if you use a clinic that does a lot of PGD and has a lot of success with it. Most places are heading forward to day 5 biopsy with a fresh transfer or freeze. This is showing more accurate PGD results.

Technology is changing so rapidly.

The private forums are great, there are many people cycling at once and they have cycle stickies that you can follow, good if you have a particular clinic you want to keep an eye on. Most people won't even post out here.

[Dazey]

Thank you nuthinbutpink and glory. I bought the Dream membership and have posted in the private forum. I appreciate your responses!