The combined effect of age and basal follicle-stimulating hormone on the cost of a live birth at assisted reproductive technology.
OBJECTIVE
To predict the cost of a delivery following assisted reproductive technologies (ART).


METHODS
Cost analysis based on retrospective chart analysis.


METHODS
University-based ART program.


METHODS
Women aged >or=26 and <or=42 years with FSH levels <or=12 IU/L on day 3 undergoing a first cycle of fresh, nondonor ART.


METHODS
Logit regression using a fractional polynomial model of age and basal FSH was used to estimate the probability of a live birth. Cost analysis was applied to the resulting prediction.


METHODS
The predicted probability of a live birth following ART based on a woman's age and FSH and the associated cost of a live birth.


RESULTS
Analysis of 1,238 first ART cycles produced a prediction model for live birth rates following ART incorporating both age and FSH. A cost analysis based upon combination of age and FSH revealed the cost of a live birth exceeded $100,000 when the probability of a live birth fell below 15% and the cost rose exponentially at lower probabilities of live birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Based upon a woman's age and FSH and expected cost for a live birth using ART may be calculated. At live birth rates <5%, the cost of ART is high and greatly exceeds the cost of donor cycles. This information is vital for patient counseling.
Henne
Melinda B
MB
Walter Reed ART Program, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Stegmann
Barbara J
BJ
Neithardt
Adrienne B
AB
Catherino
William H
WH
Armstrong
Alicia Y
AY
Kao
Tzu-Cheg
TC
Segars
James H
JH
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D050498:Live Birth / Q000191:economics*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008423:Maternal Age; D018803:Models, Economic; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone