Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Stargardt Disease

Purpose

To report the first use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis to achieve an unaffected pregnancy in an autosomal-recessive retinal dystrophy.

Design

Case report.

Methods

An affected male with Stargardt disease and his carrier wife underwent IVF. Embryos obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection underwent single-cell DNA testing via polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis to detect the presence of ABCA4 mutant alleles. Embryos were diagnosed as being either affected by or carriers for Stargardt disease. A single carrier embryo was implanted.

Results

Chorionic villus sampling performed during the first trimester verified that the fetus possessed only 1 mutant paternal allele and 1 normal maternal allele, thus making her an unaffected carrier of the disease. A healthy, live-born female was delivered.

Conclusion

IVF and preimplantation genetic diagnosis can assist couples with an affected spouse and a carrier spouse with recessive retinal dystrophies to have an unaffected child.