The importance of appropriate genetic counselling and informed consent before begining IVF procedures: two case reports

Abstract

In the Hospital of Lithuanian university of health sciences were counseled two couples which in the past used unsuccessfuly intensive infertility treatment regimen. The first couple was unable to conceive for 7 years: they applied two unsuccessful IVF procedures, however gave birth to a healthy boy. The second couple applied two IVF procedures and did not conceive for four years. After the karyotype testing a chromosome translocation was identified: in the case of the first couple to a female, in the case of second couple to a male. The karyotypes of the first couple were the following: 45 XY, der(13;14)(q10;q10)of a male and 46XX of a female. The karyotypes of the second couple were respectively 46XY and 45 XX , der(13;14)(q10;q10) The possibility of miscarriage and of anomaly were explained and further recomendations to couples were provided. After the counseling families are better able to decide on further family planning and prenatal diagnostics, if necessary. These cases present the importance of quality of health care services for the adjustment of the diagnosis, and the need of genetic counseling and appropriate genetic testing before ART because the main requirements for the informed consent include rationality, sufficient and clear information, free will and the form of consent conforming to the legal acts.