PGT-A Testing Errors

PGT-A is a lab test that counts the chromosomes in a few cells taken from an embryo. Its results often decide which embryos are transferred, which stay frozen and which are discarded. Many questions about a PGT-A report trace back to the known limits of the test. Others come from preventable mistakes, like a mislabeled sample, a wrong report or a result that was never explained. A PGT-A lawyer can help you sort out which one you may be facing.

What PGT-A testing looks at

PGT-A stands for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. Aneuploidy means a cell has too many or too few chromosomes. PGT-A screens for this across all the chromosomes, including the X and Y3. It does not look for one known family disease. That is the job of PGT-M. A third test, PGT-SR, is used when a parent carries a chromosome rearrangement3.

Most testing today is done on a blastocyst, an embryo five to seven days old. An embryologist removes a few cells from the outer layer, called the trophectoderm. Those cells help form the placenta, not the fetus12. Most clinics do not run the genetic analysis in-house, so the sample usually goes to an outside lab while the embryo is frozen1.

Labs mainly use next-generation sequencing or SNP microarray. The methods differ, and current data do not show that one platform is better than the others1. Your report will usually put each embryo into one of these groups:

• Euploid: the sample showed the expected number of chromosomes.
• Aneuploid: the sample showed an extra or missing chromosome, or an extra or missing piece of one (a segmental finding).
• Mosaic: the sample showed an in-between result. That can mean a mix of normal and abnormal cells, but it can also come from test noise or other technical causes2.
• Inconclusive or no result: the lab could not read the sample. ASRM reports this in about 0.86% to 3.8% of cases1.

How a PGT-A result can go wrong

Two very different things can sit behind a result that later looks wrong. One is a limit of the test itself. The other is a mistake that someone could have prevented. A PGT-A lawsuit depends on telling them apart.

Known limits of the test

A biopsy samples only a handful of cells. ASRM has flagged the open question of how well that sample stands for the whole embryo1. An in-between result may reflect true mosaicism. It may also reflect statistical noise, DNA amplification bias, contamination or the biopsy technique2. Labs also set their own cutoffs, so the same biopsy could be called high-level mosaic at one lab and aneuploid or euploid at another2.

A 2026 review of 22 studies compared biopsy results with the rest of the embryo. The results disagreed in 2.6% of embryos called euploid, 9.2% of those called aneuploid and 17.4% of segmental findings8. Those gaps come from biology and test design, not necessarily from anyone's mistake.

Preventable testing and reporting errors

Other problems have nothing to do with biology. European good-practice guidance says many causes of misdiagnosis are avoidable with preventive steps and sound quality management7. Examples include:

• A biopsy tube labeled with the wrong patient or embryo number
• Samples switched between embryos or between patients (see genetic testing sample mix-ups)
• A result entered for the wrong embryo in the clinic's records
• A mosaic result treated as abnormal, or as normal, without telling you
• A clinic policy on mosaic embryos that you never saw
• Embryos thawed, transferred or discarded based on the wrong report

What the evidence says about PGT-A benefit

Embryo testing is common. National data cited by ASRM show some form of PGT in 44% of U.S. IVF cycles in 2019, up from 14% in 20141. Common use is not the same as proven benefit. In 2024, ASRM and SART said the value of PGT-A as a routine screening test for all IVF patients has not been demonstrated1. ESHRE, the European society, says current data show limited improvement in live birth rates and that PGT-A is currently not recommended for routine clinical use6. ACOG has said the best use of PGT-A remains to be determined3.

What studies show for different patients

Younger, good prognosis

In a large trial of women aged 20 to 37 with at least three good-quality blastocysts, the cumulative live birth rate was 77.2% with PGT-A and 81.8% without it. Conventional IVF was found noninferior4.

Ages 35 to 40

The STAR trial found no overall benefit. A subgroup analysis showed a higher ongoing pregnancy rate per transfer for women 35 to 40, but not when counted from randomization5. ESHRE says claims of fewer miscarriages or faster pregnancy in older patients rest on such after-the-fact analyses6.

Older patients, repeat loss

ASRM says PGT-A may have a beneficial role for some patients of advanced maternal age, but notes that studies in this group have limits, such as selection bias, and that more trials are needed. For recurrent pregnancy loss, ASRM says definitive evidence of benefit is lacking1.

Donor eggs, male factor

One registry study linked PGT-A with lower live birth rates in donor egg cycles. ASRM says PGT-A should not be used for male-factor infertility alone1.

Miscarriage

Whether PGT-A lowers the risk of clinical miscarriage is still unclear, according to ASRM, though the studies have important limits1.

None of this means the test has no place. ASRM notes reasons some patients choose it, such as insurance limits on covered transfers or a plan to bank embryos for a larger family1. The point is that benefit depends on the patient. Patients deserve an honest account of that before they pay for the test and make lasting decisions based on it.

PGT-A also cannot promise a pregnancy or a healthy child. ACOG says a normal result does not ensure a newborn without genetic problems, and that prenatal screening or diagnostic testing should still be offered3. Our page on PGT results and testing limitations compares what each type of embryo test can and cannot tell you.

Professional standards for PGT-A labs and clinics

TIME reported in 2025 that the FDA has not authorized any add-on preimplantation genetic tests9. Professional guidance describes what careful testing and counseling should include:

• Before testing, patients should hear the risks, benefits and limits, including no result, mosaic or segmental findings and misdiagnosis, plus the option of skipping PGT-A1.
• Clinics should strive to have a written policy on abnormal and mosaic embryos and share it before testing12.
• Genetic counseling should be easy to reach at any point1.
• Samples should carry two unique patient identifiers and the embryo number, with an independent check at high-risk steps7.
• Reports should be sent securely so the correct embryos are transferred or frozen7.
• After a misdiagnosis, the center should look for the cause and change its protocols7.

A result that decides an embryo's future should be labeled right, read right and explained right.

PGT-A lawsuits and where the law stands

Starting in late 2024, patients filed proposed class action lawsuits against several U.S. companies that provide PGT-A. According to TIME, the complaints allege that patients were misled about the test's accuracy and usefulness. Several companies moved to dismiss the complaints, and Natera called the litigation against it baseless9. These are allegations, not findings.

PGT-A class actions: verified dates

1. October 31, 2024

   A proposed class action is filed in federal court in Delaware against Ovation-related companies. It alleges marketing claims such as PGT-A being more than 98% accurate10.

2. March 2025

   TIME reports class actions against six PGT-A providers. Several defendants had moved to dismiss, and the cases were proceeding9.

3. September 3, 2025

   The Delaware court dismisses that complaint without prejudice. It finds the named plaintiffs had not alleged a harm of their own, such as failing to become pregnant, and allows them to amend. The docket shows the case closed in October 202510.

4. March 2026

   Bay News 9 reports that about 3,000 people are part of class actions against several testing companies11.

Those cases focus on marketing and money paid for the test, and their status may have changed since these reports. A claim that a specific sample was mislabeled or a specific report was wrong is a different kind of case. The Delaware ruling shows why the facts of your own cycle matter10.

How a wrong PGT-A result can affect your family

Incorrect information can shape three decisions: which embryo to transfer, whether to start another cycle and what to do with the embryos left over. The harm can include:

• Embryos discarded or left unused because they were labeled abnormal (see embryos discarded after genetic testing)
• An embryo with a chromosome problem transferred because it was labeled normal
• Another egg retrieval, with its cost, medicines and medical risks
• Lost time, which matters more as age limits your options
• Miscarriage, or hard choices later in pregnancy
• Storage fees for embryos you were told not to use
• Grief, anxiety and strain on your relationship

Disposition choices are often final. ASRM has warned that, given the uncertainty around self-correction, false-positive results and mosaic calls, some discarded embryos might have led to healthy babies1.

When to talk to a lawyer about a PGT-A testing error

Consider speaking with a PGT-A lawyer if something in your records does not add up. Warning signs include:

• A retest or a later outcome contradicts the original report
• The report shows the wrong name, date or embryo number
• You learned of mosaic results or a clinic policy only after a decision was made
• Embryos were discarded without the consent you remember giving
• A chromosome condition was found after a normal report, and no one explained the test's limits

A claim review looks at your consent forms, the lab's method and cutoffs, the chain of custody for each sample, how results reached you and the timeline. It also asks the hard question: was this a known limit of the test, or a mistake?

Who may be responsible for a PGT-A error

Several parties touch each sample. Depending on the records, a PGT-A attorney may look at:

• The fertility clinic that ordered the test and counseled you
• The physician who chose which embryos to transfer, store or discard
• The embryology lab that performed the biopsy and labeled the tubes
• The genetic testing company that analyzed the sample and wrote the report
• A courier, if samples were lost, delayed or damaged in transit

No one is presumed at fault. Each party's role depends on contracts, policies and what the records show.

Filing deadlines for a PGT-A testing claim

Every state limits how long you have to sue, and the rules differ. Claims against health care providers are often treated as medical malpractice. In Arizona, for example, a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit generally must be filed within two years after the claim accrues12. When that clock starts, and whether notice or expert steps come first, depends on the state and the type of claim. Claims against a testing company may follow different rules. Because a PGT-A error is often found months or years later, speak with a lawyer soon after you suspect one.

Tell Us Your Story →

Records that help with a PGT-A review

Gather what you can

Testing records

• PGT-A reports for every embryo
• The lab's name, method and mosaic policy
• Biopsy and embryology worksheets
• Any retest or second-opinion results

Clinic and consent records

• PGT-A and disposition consent forms
• Clinic policy on abnormal and mosaic embryos
• Genetic counseling notes
• Thaw and transfer records

Your own records

• Portal messages, emails and call notes
• Bills, receipts and storage invoices
• Brochures or ads about the test
• Prenatal or newborn test results

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a PGT-A claim review works

1. You tell us what happened

   Share the basics: when you tested, what the report said and what happened next. A rough timeline is enough to start.

2. We look at timing

   We check which state's rules may apply and whether a deadline is close.

3. We review the records

   With your permission, we request clinic and lab records and compare them with what you were told.

4. We explain what we find

   We tell you plainly whether we see a claim and why. Reaching out does not mean we will take the case.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

PGT-A reports and IVF bills use terms most people never needed before. Here is what they mean.

PGT-A results

Aneuploidy

Any change from the usual 46 chromosomes2. An extra copy is called a trisomy; a missing copy is a monosomy.

Euploid

A result showing the expected number of chromosomes in the biopsy sample.

Mosaic result

An in-between reading that may mean mixed normal and abnormal cells, or a technical artifact2.

Segmental finding

An extra or missing piece of a chromosome rather than a whole one. These findings disagree with the rest of the embryo more often8.

Biopsy and lab terms

Blastocyst

An embryo about five to seven days after fertilization, the usual stage for biopsy1.

Trophectoderm biopsy

Removal of a few outer-layer cells that help form the placenta2.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS)

A common PGT-A method that measures how much DNA each chromosome contributes2.

Vitrification

Fast freezing used to store embryos while test results are pending.

Pregnancy testing

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

A blood test that screens DNA from the placenta. It does not diagnose and is not designed to detect mosaicism2.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

A diagnostic test of placental tissue, usually at 10 to 13 weeks2.

Amniocentesis

A diagnostic test of fetal cells in amniotic fluid, usually from 16 weeks2.

Insurance and billing

Add-on

An optional service added to an IVF cycle, often billed separately from the cycle itself.

Explanation of benefits (EOB)

A statement from your insurer listing what was billed, paid and left for you.

Storage fee

A recurring charge for keeping frozen embryos, including ones not planned for use.

Questions

Frequently asked PGT-A testing error questions

Short answers to what patients ask most after a confusing PGT-A result.

Does an abnormal PGT-A result mean my embryo could never become a baby?

Not always. A biopsy tests a few cells, and results can differ from the rest of the embryo. In one large review, results for embryos called aneuploid disagreed with the rest of the embryo 9.2% of the time, and more often for segmental findings8. Still, many embryos labeled abnormal truly are. Only your records and a careful review can say whether a result in your case was a limit of the test or a mistake.

Is a mosaic result the same as a testing error?

No. A mosaic call is an in-between reading. It may reflect a true mix of cells or technical noise, and labs use different cutoffs2. The concern is not the label itself. It is whether the lab and clinic reported it accurately, explained it and followed the policy you agreed to before testing.

Does PGT-A raise my chance of having a baby?

The evidence depends on the patient. A large trial in women 37 and younger with several good embryos found no gain in cumulative live births4. ASRM says the value of routine PGT-A for all IVF patients has not been demonstrated, while some studies of older patients suggest benefit with open questions1. Your doctor can explain how the data apply to you.

My euploid embryo did not implant or I miscarried. Was the test wrong?

Not necessarily. A euploid result does not mean an embryo will implant. ASRM notes, for example, that euploid embryos that reach the blastocyst stage on day 7 may have lower implantation potential1. A failed transfer after a euploid result is a known outcome. It points to an error only if records show something like a sample mix-up or a reporting mistake.

Can my embryos be retested?

Sometimes. Retesting usually means warming the embryo, taking a second biopsy and freezing it again. ASRM notes mixed data and says repeated rounds may affect implantation, so the choice should be weighed carefully with your doctor1. Keep both reports, because a conflict between them can matter in a review.

Are the PGT-A class actions the same as an individual claim?

No. The class actions allege misleading marketing of the test, and those claims are disputed9. One court dismissed a complaint because the named plaintiffs had not alleged a harm of their own10. An individual claim usually focuses on what went wrong with your samples, your report or your care.

What if my clinic discarded embryos based on a PGT-A report?

Start by finding your consent and disposition forms and the clinic's written policy on abnormal and mosaic embryos. ASRM says that policy should be shared before testing1. If embryos were discarded without proper consent, or based on the wrong report, a lawyer can review whether the clinic or lab may be responsible.

Should I still have prenatal testing after PGT-A?

ACOG says prenatal screening or diagnostic testing should be offered to all patients who had PGT-A, as with any pregnancy3. Whether to have it is your choice, made with your doctor. Declining prenatal testing does not cause a lab or reporting error.

Do I need all my records before I contact a lawyer?

No. Tell us what you know and what you have. Many people have only a portal summary at first. With your permission, we can help request the full clinic and lab records, including the PGT-A report for each embryo. Keep anything you already have, even screenshots.

How long do I have to file a PGT-A lawsuit?

It depends on the state and the type of claim. Arizona, for example, generally allows two years for personal injury and medical malpractice claims12. Other states use different periods and different rules on when the clock starts. Because deadlines can pass quietly, talk with an attorney soon.

Tell Us Your Story

PGT-A can help some patients, but its limits are real, and preventable labeling, reporting and communication errors can cost families embryos, time and money.

If a PGT-A result led to a decision you now question, tell us your story. We will review what happened and explain your options honestly, without promising any particular result.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about PGT-A testing errors. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. An unsuccessful cycle, a complication, an embryo loss or a testing limitation does not, by itself, establish that anyone was negligent. No outcome can be promised in any case.