Genetic Screening: Preconception Carrier Testing & PGT

Preconception carrier screening uses a simple blood or saliva sample to identify whether prospective parents carry recessive gene mutations for inherited disorders. Following guidelines from ASRM, ACOG, and ACMG, we recommend offering carrier screening to all couples planning a pregnancy.

To pass on an autosomal recessive condition (such as Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Disease, Fragile X Syndrome, or Tay-Sachs), both parents must carry a mutation in the same gene. Testing one partner first allows rapid screening; if positive, the second partner is evaluated immediately.

When carrier screening reveals that both parents carry mutations for a specific genetic disease, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD / PGT-M) is performed during IVF. Embryologists gently biopsy 3–5 cells from Day 5/6 blastocysts to analyze DNA for the identified mutation, allowing Dr. Sharara to transfer only embryos unaffected by the disease.

Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS / PGT-A) evaluates all 23 pairs of chromosomes to confirm euploidy (normal chromosome count). Chromosomal aneuploidy is the leading cause of IVF failure and early miscarriage.

PGS is especially vital for women over age 35, patients experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, and couples with prior failed IVF cycles.

In addition to single-gene PGT-M and chromosomal PGT-A, VCRM offers LifeView™ PGT-P (developed by Genomic Prediction) to screen embryos against complex polygenic conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, breast and prostate cancers, and schizophrenia.

PGT-P calculates an objective Embryo Health Score (EHS) to prioritize the healthiest euploid embryo for transfer, reducing lifetime disease risks by up to 72% without discarding viable embryos. PGT-A is automatically included at no additional charge.

Learn More About PGT-P Screening

Gender selection at VCRM combines PGS genetic screening with IVF and is virtually 100% effective for medical disease prevention and family balancing.

By screening all 23 pairs of chromosomes, PGS identifies female (XX) and male (XY) embryos while confirming euploidy. This enables parents to prevent severe X-linked inherited disorders (such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Hemophilia) or choose gender selection for family balancing under Dr. Sharara's boutique 1:1 supervision.

Learn More About Gender Selection