• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

Purpose: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), also known as embryo screening, is a pre-pregnancy technique used to identify genetic defects in embryos created through in vitro fertilization. PGD is considered a means of prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities. PGD is used when one or both genetic parents has a known genetic abnormality; testing is performed on an embryo to determine if it also carries the genetic abnormality. The main advantage of PGD is the avoidance of selective pregnancy termination as it imparts a high likelihood that the baby will be free of the disease under consideration. The application of PGD to genetic practices, reproductive medicine, and genetic counseling is becoming the key component of fertility practice because of the need to develop a custom PGD design for each couple. Materials and Methods: In this study, a survey on the contents of genetic counseling in PGD was carried out via direct contact or e-mail with the patients and specialists who had experienced PGD during the three months from February to April 2010. Results: A total of 91 persons including 60 patients, 49 of whom had a chromosomal disorder and 11 of whom had a single gene disorder, and 31 PGD specialists responded to the survey. Analysis of the survey results revealed that all respondents were well aware of the importance of genetic counseling in all steps of PGD including planning, operation, and follow-up. The patient group responded that the possibility of unexpected results (51.7%), genetic risk assessment and recurrence risk (46.7%), the reproduction options (46.7%), the procedure and limitation of PGD (43.3%) and the information of PGD technology (35.0%) should be included as a genetic counseling information. In detail, 51.7% of patients wanted to be counseled for the possibility of unexpected results and the recurrence risk, while 46.7% wanted to know their reproduction options (46.7%). Approximately 96.7% of specialists replied that a non-M.D. genetic counselor is necessary for effective and systematic genetic counseling in PGD because it is difficult for physicians to offer satisfying information to patients due to lack of counseling time and specific knowledge of the disorders. Conclusions: The information from the survey provides important insight into the overall present situation of genetic counseling for PGD in Korea. The survey results demonstrated that there is a general awareness that genetic counseling is essential for PGD, suggesting that appropriate genetic counseling may play a important role in the success of PGD. The establishment of genetic counseling guidelines for PGD may contribute to better planning and management strategies for PGD.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.123-127
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• 2009

After a health examination, abnormal patients were classified into two groups. One needs clinical treatment immediately, while the other one needs check-up in 2~3 month after for blood tests and preventive medical study. To discover the status and importance of the follow-up study in a health program, blood test upon health examination was compared to the test from the follow-up. We examined patients of ages from 20's to 70's. Among these patients, most of them were between 40's and 50's, and in male patients the follow-up test were more freguent than female. We examined blood obtained from January 2007 to December 2008. We analyzed and compared initial and the follow up blood test. Lipid profile, liver test, thyroid function tests (TFTs), glucose fasting, and HbA1c were examined from the blood tests. We also surveyed their distribution and status. The value of the follow up blood tests was significantly decreased with the most striking differences in lipid profiles and liver test. Follow up study is able to improve life style of patients through doctor's advice in a health program. Therefore, we can conclude that the follow up blood test is also quite critical.