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News Release

February 24, 2006

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. – The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on national success rates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) once again holds encouraging news for 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 rates for women under age 35. In addition, the CDC reports that the UConn Center continues to achieve lower rates of higher-order multiples (triplets or more) than the national average.

“In order to reduce risks for mothers and babies alike, we are committed to keeping the rate of multiple births as low as possible,” said Claudio Benadiva, M.D., the Center’s IVF laboratory director. “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,” he said.

 

Fresh embryos from non-donor eggs
% of Pregnancies with Triplets or More 		Age <35 35-37 38-40
         
The Center   2.1% 4.7% 2.0%
National Summary   6.4% 6.2% 5.4%

The new report, 2003 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Success Rates, reflects pregnancy data for 2003 provided by 399 reporting fertility clinics throughout the U.S. The report is meant to help consumers make informed decisions and includes state-by-state data and findings from fertility programs.

Here is a look at other data from the 2003 report:

Fresh embryos from non-donor eggs
Live Births Per Embryo Transfer		 Age <35 35-37 38-40 > 40
           
The Center   44.6% 43.3% 25.3% 22.1%
National Summary   43.2% 36.6% 26.1% 15.1%


Frozen embryos from non-donor eggs
Live Births Per Embryo Transfer		 Age <35 35-37 38-40 > 40
           
The Center   50% 60.9% 38% 33%
National Summary   29.4% 28.2% 22.6% 16.5%

 

Donor Eggs
Live Births Per Embryo Transfer		 All
Ages 		Fresh
Embryos		 Frozen
Embryos
       
The Center   66% 64%
National Summary   50% 30.1%

 

*Source: www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/index.htm. Click on 2003 ART Report

“It’s important to review credible data from sources such as the CDC when choosing a fertility center,” said John Nulsen, M.D., medical director of the Center. “The decision to use IVF or any other form of advanced reproductive technology is a very serious matter for couples. 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, 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 one in the state, with offices in Farmington and Hamden. For more information, call 860-679-4580 or visit www.uconnfertility.com.

For more information about the success rates, the ART report or national accreditations, please call 860-679-4324.

UConn Health includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital. Home to Bioscience Connecticut, UConn Health pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. More information about UConn Health is available at www.uchc.edu.

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