News | Single-Embryo Transfer Becomes Mainstream: A Safer Trend in European Fertility Treatment
Data presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) show that more women are choosing single-embryo transfer during assisted reproductive treatment to reduce multiple-pregnancy risks and protect maternal and infant health. In 2020, single-embryo transfers accounted for 57.6% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments in Europe, up from 55.4% in 2019.
Use and outcomes of single-embryo transfer
In 2020, double-embryo transfers fell to 37.6%, while transfers of three and more embryos accounted for only 2.1% and 0.2%, respectively. Wider use of single-embryo transfer substantially reduced multiple births. Singleton births rose to 88.8% in 2020 from 87.7% in 2019, while twin and triplet birth rates fell from 11.9% and 0.3% to 11% and 0.2%.
Improved safety in assisted reproduction
Preliminary data from the ESHRE European IVF Monitoring Consortium (EIM) show that although total assisted reproduction cycles fell from more than one million in 2019 to 843,776 in 2020 due to the pandemic, single-embryo transfer continued to rise and improve maternal and infant safety. Study leader Dr. Jesper Smeenk of Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg, the Netherlands, attributed the trend to greater awareness of multiple-pregnancy risks. “The continued increase in single-embryo transfer reduces pregnancy complications without affecting treatment success rates,” he said.
Technology and treatment diversity
Data from 2020 also reflect the variety of assisted reproductive technologies:
There were 279,126 frozen embryo transfer cycles, similar to 2019.
There were 60,521 donor-egg cycles, 47,793 preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles, and 4,375 frozen-oocyte transfer cycles.
ICSI remained more common than conventional IVF, with 315,814 cycles versus 135,803, continuing a trend seen since 2002.
Emerging techniques also grew, including 344 in vitro maturation (IVM) cycles performed without hormonal medication.
In addition, 1,209 centers performed 199,362 intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, most with partner sperm (147,711) and 51,651 with donor sperm.
Growth in fertility preservation
In 2020, 15 countries reported 18,270 fertility preservation procedures, including freezing eggs, sperm, and ovarian tissue. These technologies are used mainly for cancer patients before and after puberty to preserve the possibility of having children later.
Challenges and outlook
Although the ESHRE data remain incomplete because some countries have not reported, the trend is already clear. ESHRE Chair Professor Carlos Calhaz-Jorge said: “Multiple pregnancy is a major risk factor for complications during pregnancy and childbirth and may also affect children's healthy development. We hope singleton pregnancy rates continue to rise, further improving safety for patients and their children.”
The report covers 1,326 assisted reproduction clinics across 38 European countries, representing 82% of registered clinics. The full report will provide more detailed insight into the development of assisted reproductive technology in Europe.
News | Single-Embryo Transfer Becomes Mainstream: A Safer Trend in European Fertility Treatment
News | Single-Embryo Transfer Becomes Mainstream: A Safer Trend in European Fertility Treatment
Data presented at the 39th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) show that more women are choosing single-embryo transfer during assisted reproductive treatment to reduce multiple-pregnancy risks and protect maternal and infant health. In 2020, single-embryo transfers accounted for 57.6% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments in Europe, up from 55.4% in 2019.
Use and outcomes of single-embryo transfer
In 2020, double-embryo transfers fell to 37.6%, while transfers of three and more embryos accounted for only 2.1% and 0.2%, respectively. Wider use of single-embryo transfer substantially reduced multiple births. Singleton births rose to 88.8% in 2020 from 87.7% in 2019, while twin and triplet birth rates fell from 11.9% and 0.3% to 11% and 0.2%.
Improved safety in assisted reproduction
Preliminary data from the ESHRE European IVF Monitoring Consortium (EIM) show that although total assisted reproduction cycles fell from more than one million in 2019 to 843,776 in 2020 due to the pandemic, single-embryo transfer continued to rise and improve maternal and infant safety. Study leader Dr. Jesper Smeenk of Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg, the Netherlands, attributed the trend to greater awareness of multiple-pregnancy risks. “The continued increase in single-embryo transfer reduces pregnancy complications without affecting treatment success rates,” he said.
Technology and treatment diversity
Data from 2020 also reflect the variety of assisted reproductive technologies:
There were 279,126 frozen embryo transfer cycles, similar to 2019.
There were 60,521 donor-egg cycles, 47,793 preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles, and 4,375 frozen-oocyte transfer cycles.
ICSI remained more common than conventional IVF, with 315,814 cycles versus 135,803, continuing a trend seen since 2002.
Emerging techniques also grew, including 344 in vitro maturation (IVM) cycles performed without hormonal medication.
In addition, 1,209 centers performed 199,362 intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles, most with partner sperm (147,711) and 51,651 with donor sperm.
Growth in fertility preservation
In 2020, 15 countries reported 18,270 fertility preservation procedures, including freezing eggs, sperm, and ovarian tissue. These technologies are used mainly for cancer patients before and after puberty to preserve the possibility of having children later.
Challenges and outlook
Although the ESHRE data remain incomplete because some countries have not reported, the trend is already clear. ESHRE Chair Professor Carlos Calhaz-Jorge said: “Multiple pregnancy is a major risk factor for complications during pregnancy and childbirth and may also affect children's healthy development. We hope singleton pregnancy rates continue to rise, further improving safety for patients and their children.”
The report covers 1,326 assisted reproduction clinics across 38 European countries, representing 82% of registered clinics. The full report will provide more detailed insight into the development of assisted reproductive technology in Europe.
Source:
Collected online