A detailed cost analysis of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To provide detailed information about costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment stages and to estimate the cost per IVF and ICSI treatment cycle and ongoing pregnancy.


METHODS
Descriptive micro-costing study.


METHODS
Four Dutch IVF centers.


METHODS
Women undergoing their first treatment cycle with IVF or ICSI.


METHODS
IVF or ICSI.


METHODS
Costs per treatment stage, per cycle started, and for ongoing pregnancy.


RESULTS
Average costs of IVF and ICSI hormonal stimulation were euro 1630 and euro 1585; the costs of oocyte retrieval were euro 500 and euro 725, respectively. The cost of embryo transfer was euro 185. Costs per IVF and ICSI cycle started were euro 2381 and euro 2578, respectively. Costs per ongoing pregnancy were euro 10,482 and euro 10,036, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Hormonal stimulation covered the main part of the costs per cycle (on average 68% and 61% for IVF and ICSI, respectively) due to the relatively high cost of medication. The costs of medication increased with increasing age of the women, irrespective of the type of treatment (IVF or ICSI). Fertilization costs (IVF laboratory) constituted 12% and 20% of the total costs of IVF and ICSI. The total cost per ICSI cycle was 8.3% higher than IVF.
Institute for Medical Technology Assessment, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. c.bouwmans-frijters@erasmusmc.nl
Clazien A M
CA
Bouwmans
Bea M E
BM
Lintsen
Marinus J C
MJ
Eijkemans
J Dik F
JD
Habbema
Didi D M
DD
Braat
Leona
L
Hakkaart
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000191:economics; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000191:economics; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000191:economics; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000191:economics*