Pre-implantation Genetic Screening

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang
MP for Nee Soon GRC

Question No. 824

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what are the reasons for setting the criteria disallowing women below the age of 35 to take part in the three-year clinical trial for Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS); (b) whether the Ministry will consider lowering this age limit for women; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider allowing women below the age of 35 to take part on a case-by-case basis.

Written Answer

1        Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a test for chromosomal abnormalities in embryos created through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), before the embryos are implanted into the uterus.  MOH recently approved a three-year pilot for PGS.  This will commence at the National University Hospital (NUH) in 2017.  

2        Under the pilot programme, patients who fulfil at least one of the following clinical criteria will be eligible:
a.    Age 35 years old and above, regardless of prognosis
b.    Two or more recurrent implantation failures, regardless of age
c.    Two or more recurrent pregnancy losses, regardless of age

3        In other words, women of any age can participate in the pilot if they have had two or more recurrent implantation failures or pregnancy losses.  For those without recurrent implantation failures or pregnancy losses, the minimum age is set at 35 years.  This is because literature evidence and overseas experience have shown that the chance of a baby born with chromosomal abnormalities for mothers aged 35 and above is significantly higher[1].  Countries such as the UK[2] and Canada[3] have similarly recommended that PGS be made available to women aged 35 years and above, regardless of prognosis.

[1] Hook EB. Cross PK. Schreinemachers DM. (1983) Chromosomal abnormality rates at amniocentesis and in live-born infants. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 249(15):2034-8

Hook EB. (1981) Rates of chromosomal abnormalities at different maternal ages. Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 58(3):282-5.

[2] The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), UK

[3] The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada