Adoption of single embryo transfer policy would reduce deaths, complications, and NICU resources
THURSDAY, April 14 (HealthDay News) -- Complications ensuing from multiple gestations after artificial reproductive technology (ART) have increased significantly in the last 10 years and represent a burden on neonatal intensive care units (NICU), according to a study published online April 14 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Annie Janvier, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Montreal, and colleagues prospectively reviewed database and hospital records to determine the proportion of infant complications related to multiple gestations admitted to the NICU. Excess complications from multiple gestations related to in vitro fertilization were compared to those resulting from single embryo transfer or transfer of two embryos in up to 33 percent of women.
The investigators found that, in the past 10 years, the number of infants admitted to the NICU from multiple gestations after ART increased significantly, to 17 percent. In a two-year period, excess NICU use of 3,082 patient days and 270 patient ventilator days could have been saved by mandatory single embryo transfer. It was estimated that adopting this policy across Canada would result in preventing 30 to 40 deaths, 34 to 46 severe intracranial hemorrhages, and 13 to 19 retinal surgeries each year. NICU resource savings would include 5,424 to 7,299 patient-days of assisted ventilation and 35,219 to 42,488 patient-days of NICU care.
"We have demonstrated that the impact of multiple births from unregulated ART is substantial, causing 17 percent of our NICU admissions and leading to enormous unacceptable human, emotional, and financial costs," the authors write.
Abstract
Full Text