News Release
February 14, 2007
Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail:
mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu
IVF Success Rates at UConn Far Surpass the National Average
New Data Can Help Couples When Choosing a Fertility Specialist
Farmington, Conn. – An annual report from the Society for Advanced Reproductive Technology (SART) 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 significantly above the national average in many categories and age groups, according to the report, including notable success rates for women over age 35. In addition, the report shows that the Center continues to achieve lower rates of higher-order multiples (triplets or more) than the national average.
“The Center continues to demonstrate success, not only in the percentage of live births achieved but also in our ability to lessen the potential for those pregnancies with triplets of more,” said John Nulsen, M.D., medical director of the Center. SART has recognized the Center in the past for its ability to minimize the number of higher-order multiple births.
“Higher-order births carry serious health risks for both the mother and the babies alike,” Dr. Nulsen said. “We are very committed to keeping those numbers as low as possible through a thoughtful, research-based process. We’re very proud of our success.”
Fresh Embryos from non-donor eggs |
Age |
<35 |
35-37 |
38-40 |
| % of Pregnancies with triplets or more | ||||
| The Center | 1.4% | 3.5% | 1.3% | |
| National Summary | 4.3% | 5.0% | 4.4% | |
The new report, 2005 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates, reflects pregnancy data provided by 343 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. All data is available on-line, in a user-friendly format at www.sart.org.
Here is a look at other data from the 2005 report:
Fresh Embryos from non-donor eggs |
Age |
<35 |
35-37 |
38-40 |
>40 |
| Live Births Per Embryo Transfer | |||||
| The Center | 47.8% | 44.3% | 31.9% | 14.0% | |
| National Summary | 43.3% | 35.8% | 25.4% | 14.9% | |
Fresh Embryos from non-donor eggs |
Age |
<35 |
35-37 |
38-40 |
>40 |
| Live Births Per Embryo Transfer | |||||
| The Center | 45.5% | 42.2% | 50% | 33% | |
| National Summary | 41.8% | 37.9% | 23.1% | 15.6% | |
Donor Eggs |
All Ages |
Fresh Embryos |
Frozen Embryos |
| Embryos | |||
| The Center | 53.5% | 45% | |
| National Summary | 52.2% | 31.1% | |
*Source: www.sart.org. Click on, “IVF Success Rates.”
“It’s important to review credible data from sources such as SART when choosing a fertility center,” added Donald Maier, M.D., chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology. “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.
Experts also advise patients to make sure their physicians are all board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, or candidates for board certification. “It is also important to make sure that the IVF lab is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and meets the rigorous standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA),” added Claudio Benadiva, M.D., the Center’s IVF lab director. The Center meets all of these important requirements. In addition, Dr. Benadiva is certified by the American Association of BioAnalysts as a “High Complexity Lab Director.”
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,” added Dr. Maier, 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.
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, Hamden and Hartford. For more information, call 860-679-4580 or visit www.uconnfertility.com.
For more information about the success rates, the SART 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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