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Report on assisted reproductive technology released

According to a Dec 20, 2002, news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 35,000 babies were born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures performed in the year 2000. These procedures include infertility treatments in which both the egg and sperm are handled in a laboratory. The most popular ART procedure is in vitro fertilization.

The CDC's sixth annual report on ART summarizes national trends and provides information from 383 facilities throughout the United States. Approximately one in four ART procedures performed in 2000 (25.4%) resulted in the birth of a baby for women who used their own eggs; this represents a slight increase from 1999 (25.2%).

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Clinics' success rates are provided in the report to assist consumers in making informed decisions about ART. Each clinic's information is presented in a one-page format and should be considered by couples because using ART can be a long, expensive process. In addition to a clinic's skill, other factors to consider include the cause of infertility and the woman's age. Decisions regarding the use of ART should be made in consultation with a physician.

The age of the woman is one of the most important factors in determining whether she will have a live birth using her own eggs, according to the report. Success rates are high for women in their twenties and early thirties but begin to decline in the mid-thirties. Of the ART procedures started in women younger than age 35 in 2000, 33% resulted in live births. This percentage decreased to 27% for women ages 35 to 37, 18% for women ages 38 to 40, 10% for women ages 41 to 42, and 4% for women older than 42 years of age.

The report also states that 35% of all ART deliveries were multiple births. This high percentage occurs because multiple embryos often are used in ART to increase the likelihood of a live pregnancy. In comparison, multiple births occur in less than 3% of the general population. Multiple births pose greater risks to babies, including prematurity, low birth weight, neonatal death, and lifelong disability. Risks for the mother include cesarean section and hemorrhage.

CDC Releases "2000 Assisted Reproductive Technology Report" (news release, Atlanta: Confers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dec 20, 2002) http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc /media/pressrel/r021220. him (accessed 29 Dec 2002).

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Report on assisted reproductive technology released

AORN Journal, March, 2003

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