Response To Publication Of Report By Expert Group On Mulitple Births After IVF, UK

Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 22 Oct 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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As the largest support organisation in the United Kingdom offering support and information to those experiencing fertility problems, Infertility Network UK (I N UK) is very aware of the risks to patients who have two or in a few select cases three embryos replaced. Following IVF/ICSI 24% of pregnancies are twin and the risks of premature birth, perinatal death and cerebral palsy are all much higher with twin pregnancies.

Clare Brown, Chief Executive of I N UK said "We share medical concerns regarding the risks of multiple births, both to the mother and children born. In conjunction with the National Infertility Awareness Campaign (NIAC) we would support a move towards single embryo transfer, but would stress the need to ensure that

i) the NICE fertility guideline is implemented in full, so that couples would be able to receive up to 3 full cycles of IVF on the NHS, and
ii) a full cycle includes frozen embryo transfer.

Despite the NICE guidelines there are still Primary Care Trusts who are not funding any treatment whatsoever, some who previously funded are now pulling funding and many are only funding one single cycle with restrictive and unfair social eligibility criteria. Without full implementation of the NICE guideline patients will not support any move towards single embryo transfer.

Infertility Network UK and the National Infertility Awareness Campaign call on the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly to issue clear instructions to PCTs in England and Health Boards in Wales they must fully implement the NICE guideline, including frozen embryo transfer as quickly as possible. We also call on the governments in Scotland and N. Ireland to ensure equality of provision.

Ms Brown continued 'Improving embryo selection is also vital and further research is needed to ensure that single embryo transfer does not compromise success rates for patients.

Savings which would be made on the cost of neonatal care should be put towards implementing the three cycles recommended by NICE giving patients a much greater chance of success. In countries such as Belgium and Denmark where SET is the norm, couples are able to have six and five attempts respectively."

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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For general information and support on infertility, visit our website at http://www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

Infertility Network UK, Charter House, 43 St. Leonards Road, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex. TN40 1JA