Home HealthTopics Health Centers Reference Library Research
Join us on Facebook Join us on Facebook Share on Facebook
Share

Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects

IVF success with balanced translocation

02/24/2011

Question:

I have a balanced translocation of 22 & 12 and would like to know what the success rates of IVF are without PGD?

Answer:

Geneticists estimate that embryos from couples with a balanced translocation will be normal approximately 1/3rd of the time and abnormal 2/3rds of the time. Most pregnancies resulting from implantation of an abnormal embryo results in a miscarriage, although some can survive. Infants who survive with an imbalanced translocation have a high risk of birth defects. A geneticist should be consulted prior to attempting conception.

Success rates for IVF depend primarily on the mother’s age, and range from >50% per cycle for women under 20 year old to <10% per cycle for women over 40. These rates would be reduced by approximately 2/3 for a couple with a balanced translocation. Pregnancy rates can be improved in couples with a balanced translocation by using PGD to determine which embryos are normal prior to transfer.

For more information:

Go to the Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects health topic, where you can:

Response by:

William W Hurd, MD William W Hurd, MD
Professor of Reproductive Biology
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University