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.
Walter Reed ART Program, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Melinda B
MB
Henne
Barbara J
BJ
Stegmann
Adrienne B
AB
Neithardt
William H
WH
Catherino
Alicia Y
AY
Armstrong
Tzu-Cheg
TC
Kao
James H
JH
Segars
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