Major advances in IVF technology in the last two years have
doubled viable pregnancy rates from what they were a decade ago,
according to the latest report on assisted conception released
today by the AIHW National Perinatal Statistics Unit (NPSU) and the
Fertility Society of Australia.
Assisted Conception Australia and New Zealand 1999 and
2000 shows the chance of pregnancy with each IVF treatment
cycle was 18% in 2000. NPSU Management Advisory Committee Member,
Professor Michael Chapman, said these improvements were due to
advances in culture mediums and incubators used in
laboratories.
The report shows that more babies than ever are the result of
IVF treatments. In 1999, more than 4,300 babies were born in
Australia after IVF, accounting for 1.7% of all births. There were
over 400 births after IVF in New Zealand, accounting for 0.7% of
all births there.
Professor Chapman said that increases in pregnancy rates were
being achieved 'despite the transfer of fewer embryos in each
treatment cycle, therefore reducing the incidence of triplets and
quadruplets. Twin pregnancy rates, however, remain a concern.'
'The proportion of women over 40 years of age seeking treatment
has increased,' Professor Chapman said. 'However their pregnancy
rates are still significantly less than those achieved by younger
women.
'Women need to be aware that to delay conception can result in
disappointment and frustration-despite continuing improvements in
assisted reproductive technology.'
Since IVF commenced in Australia and New Zealand in the early
1980s, both countries have been recognised as having the most
comprehensive data collection in the world. All IVF units provide
information on all treatment cycles to the NPSU, a collaborating
unit of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, located at
the University of New South Wales.
23 November 2001
For further information: Professor Michael
Chapman, IVF South, tel. 02 9350 2315 or tel. 0412 900 120
(mobile)
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability.