Dr. Basil Noah: Genetic tests for fetuses reduce genetic diseases at a high rate.

Three cells for examination are taken from the fetus, which consists of only 200 cells on its fifth day.

Embryology examination treats frequent miscarriages in mothers over 40 years of age, which amounts to 70%.

Dr. Basil Noah, a fertilization and IVF consultant at Health Plus Fertility Centers, owned and managed by United Eastern Medical Services, confirmed, 

” Tests that are done on cells from embryos that are produced through artificial insemination in the laboratory before being returned to the womb greatly contribute to the selection of healthy embryos free of genetic diseases. This helps in reducing genetic diseases by a large percentage.”

He explained that the test takes place 3 to 5 days after the fertilization process between the wife’s ova and the sperm of the husband. The test is done inside the laboratory. It is done using a laser and a microscope to obtain 3 to 5 cells from the embryo. The cells are taken from the periphery of the primary cells. A scan and examination are also done on the chromosomes, which number is 46 chromosomes. The examination is carried out using the latest and most advanced technologies. In light of the results of the tests carried out on these cells, the best embryos are selected and returned to the mother’s womb.

” many cases require genetic tests to be carried out on embryonic cells in IVF operations, including frequent miscarriages, and in cases where the mother is older than 40 years, because chromosomes are responsible for miscarriage in these cases. Another condition is a genetic disease in the family, such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. This requires conducting such tests to determine the genes of the parents and select an unaffected fetus for transfer to the uterus.

Concerning the importance of examination for mothers over 40 years old, Dr. Basil Noah said, “When the age of the mother who wants to be pregnant is more than 40 years, the rate of miscarriages increases in this group to reach 70%. When genetic testing of fetuses is carried out, and the embryos of the best quality are returned, the miscarriages rate drops to normal It is 20%., This reflects the importance of genetic tests on fetuses.

About the techniques of taking cells from the fetus in the first days of its life, Dr. Basil stressed that the process of taking cells must be carried out by a specialized technician who has extensive experience. In the past, cells were taken on the third day of the fetus’s life, but it was found that taking cells on the fifth day is better. The embryo on the fifth day consists of 200 cells, while on the third day, it consists of only 6 to 8 cells. Thus, taking a small number of cells on the fifth day reduces the risk of exposure to the essential cells of the fetus.

The doctor explained:

 After taking the cells on the fifth day of the embryo’s life, it is immediately frozen in the laboratory to wait for the examination’s result. The fetus does not survive outside the womb for more than 7seven days, except in cases of freezing. After making sure that the fetus is safe and free of any genetic diseases, the mother’s endometrial is prepared by giving her some medications to be ready to receive the fetus. This stage takes two weeks. Usually, on the 16th or 17th day of the beginning of the second menstrual cycle, the fetus is returned to the mother’s womb.