title: Reducing multiple births in assisted reproduction technology.
abstract: Multiple pregnancy, a complication of assisted reproduction technology, is associated with poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes. The primary reason behind this is the strategy of replacing more than one embryo during an assisted reproduction technology cycle to maximise pregnancy rates. The solution to this problem is to reduce the number of embryos transferred during in-vitro fertilisation. The transition from triple- to double-embryo transfer, which decreased the risk of triplets without compromising pregnancy rates, was easily implemented. The adoption of a single embryo transfer policy has been slow because of concerns about impaired pregnancy rates in a fresh assisted reproduction technology cycle. Widespread availability of effective cryopreservation programmes means that elective single embryo transfer, along with subsequent frozen embryo transfers, could provide a way forward. Any such strategy will need to consider couples' preferences and existing funding policies, both of which have a profound influence on decision making around embryo transfer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK. Electronic address: s.bhattacharya@abdn.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Siladitya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Unit, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: Mohan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kamath
mesh_terms: D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods
keywords: assisted reproduction technology; elective single embryo transfer; in-vitro fertilisation; multiple pregnancy