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Moving Toward Single Embryo Transfer

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In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

Multiple births are the most serious complication associated with ART. Babies born as a result of multiple pregnancy are more likely to be premature, to suffer from long-term sequelae of prematurity, and to have an increased risk of birth defects. Multiple births are also associated with increased risks of maternal morbidity. Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) eradicates the risk of multiple pregnancy, except in rare cases of monozygotic twinning. However, the time, effort and cost of ART is high, making it important to determine which patients will be likely to conceive through eSET. Until scientific methods allow selection of the most viable (or developmentally competent) embryo in every cohort, efforts must continue to focus on identifying those good prognosis patients at highest risk of multiple gestation who would most benefit from eSET.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center, 15001 Shady Grove Road, Suite 340, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA

    Kevin S. Richter Ph.D. & Robert J. Stillman M.D.

  2. Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center, Washington, DC, 20006, USA

    Eric A. Widra M.D.

Authors
  1. Kevin S. Richter Ph.D.
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  2. Robert J. Stillman M.D.
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  3. Eric A. Widra M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin S. Richter Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Francis St 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Elizabeth S. Ginsburg

  2. and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinlogy, Francis St. 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Catherine Racowsky

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Richter, K.S., Stillman, R.J., Widra, E.A. (2012). Moving Toward Single Embryo Transfer. In: Ginsburg, E., Racowsky, C. (eds) In Vitro Fertilization. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9848-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9848-4_5

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