News Release
February 2, 2005
Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu
New Data Can Help Couples When Choosing a Fertility Specialist
UConn’s Center for Advanced Reproductive Services Achieves Success in Many Categories, Including Reducing Incidence of Triplets
Farmington, Conn. – A newly released report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on national success rates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) holds encouraging news for Connecticut couples who are considering fertility treatments at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Success rates are based on the number of babies born through IVF.
The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at UConn Health Center achieved success rates above the national average in many categories and age groups, according to the report, including notable success for women under age 37. This is significant because more than 70 percent of IVF cycles nationally occur in women age 37 or younger.
In addition, the CDC report shows that the UConn Center achieved a much lower rate of higher-order multiples (triplets or more) than the national average.
| Fresh embryos from non-donor eggs % of Pregnancies with triplets or more |
Age | <35 | 35-37 | 38-40 | > 40 | Overall |
| The Center | 2% | 11% | 3.2% | 0% | 5% | |
| National Summary | 7.2% | 8.2% | 5.1% | 3% | 7% |
“We are proud of our success in keeping the percentage of pregnancies with triplets low, and will continue our efforts to ensure healthy mothers and babies,” said Claudio Benadiva, M.D., the Center’s IVF lab director.
The new report, 2002 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates, reflects pregnancy data for 2002 provided by 391 reporting fertility clinics throughout the U.S. The report is meant to help consumers make informed decisions about having a baby through IVF.
Here is a look at other data from the 2002 report:
| Fresh embryos from non-donor eggs Live Births Per Embryo Transfer |
Age | <35 | 35-37 | 38-40 | > 40 |
| The Center | 48.9% | 51.9% | 32.6% | 8.5% | |
| National Summary | 43% | 37.1% | 26.4% | 14.7% |
| Frozen embryos from non-donor eggs Live Births Per Embryo Transfer |
Age | <35 | 35-37 | 38-40 | > 40 |
| The Center | 45.9% | 20% | 25% | 0/1 | |
| National Summary | 27.9% | 24.1% | 20% | 16.6% |
| Donor Eggs Live Births Per Embryo Transfer |
All Ages |
Fresh Embryos |
Frozen Embryos |
| The Center | 53.3% | 2/9 | |
| National Summary | 50% | 28.8% |
*Source: www.cdc.gov/publications.htm - Click on ART Success Rate. Click on 2002 Report.
“It’s important to review credible data from sources such as the CDC when choosing a fertility center,” said John Nulsen, M.D. of the Center. “The decision to use IVF or any other form of advanced reproductive technology is a very important decision in the lives of a couple – and the family they hope to start. We advise people to gather as much information as possible,” he said.
Dr. Nulsen added that it is also important to make sure the fertility practice is certified by national organizations such as the College of American Pathologists and that the physicians are all board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility or candidates for board certification. The Center meets all of these important requirements.
When to Seek Help?
If the woman is under age 35, couples are generally advised to seek medical help if they are unable to achieve pregnancy after a year of trying. If the woman is over 35, medical help is recommended after six months of trying, since fertility declines with age.
While an OB/GYN can start some of the basic tests for an individual or couple, it is recommended that couples work with a reproductive endocrinologist as soon as possible.
“A board certified reproductive endocrinologist brings a broader perspective to each couple’s unique situation,” Dr. Nulsen added, noting that the combined UConn team, including the nursing and lab staff, has decades of experience in fertility treatment.
“Reproductive endocrinologists have additional training, advanced knowledge and skills to diagnose and manage the underlying medical problems that can cause fertility problems. Plus, at a university hospital like the UConn Health Center, physicians are engaged in clinical research on new treatments and approaches to care. This means patients benefit from the latest technologies and innovations in fertility treatments,” he said.
The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services offers many advanced techniques to help patients achieve successful pregnancies. UConn was one of the first IVF centers in Connecticut and is currently the largest such center in the state. The Center recently opened a satellite office in Hamden at 2080 Whitney Avenue for the convenience of patients in southern Connecticut. For more information about The Center, please call 860-679-4580 or visit the website at www.fertilitycenter-uconn.org.
For more information about any of the above information pertaining to success rates or any of the national accreditations, please call 860-679-4324.
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