title: The interpretation and use of statistics in assisted reproductive technologies.
abstract: This article has discussed some of the uses and limitations of currently available statistics for ART programs. A well-known example from statistics states that flipping a coin will produce "heads" 50% of the time and "tails" 50% of the time, provided that the coin is flipped enough times. Experience also shows that the result of individual flips cannot be predicted. Similarly, in ART, statistics can only give general probabilities and not meaningful predictions of the outcome of any particular cycle. Patients should be aware of the limits of statistical analysis as it applies to their individual treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012099:Reproductive Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology