TY - JOUR
T1 - Multiple birth resulting from ovarian stimulation for subfertility treatment
AU - Fauser, Bart C.J.M.
AU - Devroey, Paul
AU - Macklon, Nick S.
PY - 2005/5/21
Y1 - 2005/5/21
N2 - Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) aim to increase a woman's chances of becoming pregnant by bringing many female and male gametes into close proximity. Techniques to achieve this objective include ovarian hyperstimulation by maturation of several oocytes, intrauterine insemination (IUI) of concentrated sperm, or in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) by bringing gametes together outside the female body. The very nature of ovarian hyperstimulation - with or without IUI - enhances the risk of multiple pregnancy (eg, two or more babies). In most IVF cycles, more than one embryo is transferred, again resulting in an increased chance of multiple pregnancy. Developed societies have witnessed a large rise in prevalence of twin, triplet, and higher order multiple births, mainly resulting from ARTs. The primary aim of this Review is to increase awareness of the many implications of the present iatrogenic epidemic of multiple births. The background of ovarian hyperstimulation, trends supporting current practice, and strategies to reduce the chance of multiple pregnancy are highlighted.
AB - Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) aim to increase a woman's chances of becoming pregnant by bringing many female and male gametes into close proximity. Techniques to achieve this objective include ovarian hyperstimulation by maturation of several oocytes, intrauterine insemination (IUI) of concentrated sperm, or in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) by bringing gametes together outside the female body. The very nature of ovarian hyperstimulation - with or without IUI - enhances the risk of multiple pregnancy (eg, two or more babies). In most IVF cycles, more than one embryo is transferred, again resulting in an increased chance of multiple pregnancy. Developed societies have witnessed a large rise in prevalence of twin, triplet, and higher order multiple births, mainly resulting from ARTs. The primary aim of this Review is to increase awareness of the many implications of the present iatrogenic epidemic of multiple births. The background of ovarian hyperstimulation, trends supporting current practice, and strategies to reduce the chance of multiple pregnancy are highlighted.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=19744366817&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66478-1
DO - 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66478-1
M3 - Review
C2 - 15910954
AN - SCOPUS:19744366817
VL - 365
SP - 1807
EP - 1816
JO - The Lancet
JF - The Lancet
SN - 0140-6736
IS - 9473
ER -