[tel2]

Just a question....

By doing IVF I'm aware that certain genetic disorders can be avoided. I'm just curious (and this is probably a very stupid question), is ASD included in this ? Can IVF somewhat minimize the chances of your child being born with an ASD ?

Thanks

[Paddlepop]

No. Until there is gene identified for ASD it won't be able to be tested for via PGD.

The biggest indicators of whether your child could have ASD is if either you or your partner have ASD, or there is a family history of it.

[tel2]

Thanks Paddlepop.....

[Mistress_Mel]

You decrease your chances of having an ASD child if you select a female embryo....but I don't think gender selection is allowed in this case unless either you or your partner carry an identified x linked disorder such as Fragile X.

[Sinister Bonnet]

You only lessen your chances though.

At this stage we don't know enough about the genetics or how the genes are switched on to be able to do PGD.

[TiredbutHappy]

IVF mum here who has a DD with ASD, so yes with a female embryo you only lessen your chances, there's definately no guarantee.

[luvmygirl]

This is an interesting topic, as my 2yr old son has GDD, and will be assessed for autism this year, and he is an IVF baby.

The neurologist we saw at Westmead, asked if he was an ICSI embryo (this is when the sperm has its tail cut off and injected into the embryo), which we did with DS. I asked why, and he said there was higher chances of the baby having GDD. My husband and I were not told this at the time, not that it would have mattered at the time, but who knows what can happen in that petrie dish when they are mixing them all around!

In saying all this, I know lots of other babies conceived by IVF who do not have ASD or GDD!

[kazzil]

IVF twins here. No ICSI though. DS has ASD, DD does not.

[mamma2miracles]

IVF/ICSI here, same batch of embryos, DS1 - ASD, DS2 - NT