Infertility clinics around the world have always followed the practice of implanting multiple embryos in the hope that at least one of them would survive giving rise to a successful pregnancy. However, this has often resulted in twinning with its accompanying problems like gestational diabetes, premature birth and cerebral palsy in the newborn. Although in vitro fertilization accounts for just 1% of total births around the world, it accounts for 17% of all twins born. A recent study has found that the same pregnancy rates which are achieved by implanting multiple embryos can be attained by implanting a single embryo. The number of twins born is also dramatically reduced.
The research was carried out by Dr. Jessica D. Kresowik and her colleagues from the Department of Obtetrics and Gynecology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, and is available online. The hospital adopted a policy in 2004 according to which, women under the age of 38 with at least seven zygotes, no prior failed fresh cycle at the center, and at least one good-quality blastocyst, were implanted with a single embryo. A retrospective cohort study of these women was undertaken. It was seen that the pregnancy rate after single embryo transfer was not only comparable but actually better than multiple embryo transfer. The pregnancy rate improved from 51% to 56% while the number of multiple pregnancies dropped from 35% to 17.5%.
Of the 364 women who fulfilled the criteria of the policy and were implanted with a single embryo, 65% gave birth to a single baby whereas only 3% of the total pregnancies were either twins or multiple pregnancies. On the basis of the results of this study, the researchers have opined that after a careful selection of women undergoing IVF treatment, a single embryo transfer is better than multiple embryo transfer. It can lower the multiple gestation rates without affecting the overall pregnancy rates.
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