Age Affects ART Success

Women over 42 may havetrouble conceiving a child usingassisted reproduction technologies(ART), according to areport from the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention(CDC). The CDC based itsfindings on data provided from391 fertility clinics throughoutthe United States. In 2002,there were 115,392 attemptsat conceiving a child usingART, up 7805 from 2001. Amajority of the attempts wereby invitro fertilization.

The analysis uncovered that37% of assisted attempts inwomen under 35, using awoman's own egg and her partner'ssperm, led to a live birth.The rates fell considerably inwomen older than 35. Inwomen aged 38 to 41, the successrate dropped to 21%. Forwomen aged 41 and 42, therate fell to 11%. Women olderthan 42 had only a 4% successrate.

The report also stated that28.3% of ART proceduresresulted in multiple births forwomen who used their ownfertilized eggs. Approximately35% of all births using ART ledto multiple births, comparedwith the 3% rate among thegeneral population.