Maximizing live birth rates cannot be the only key performance indicator of IVF

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Health Economics

Background:

• Current in vitro fertilization (IVF) success is primarily measured by pregnancy or live birth rates.
• Existing metrics neglect crucial factors like maternal and infant health outcomes and treatment costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a redefined metric for IVF success.
• To advocate for a holistic approach that incorporates health, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Recommending a shift from simple birth rates to a weighted scoring system for IVF program performance.
• Suggesting inclusion of metrics such as live birth per embryo transferred, cumulative live birth rate over one year, total treatment cost, and maternal/perinatal outcomes.

Main Results:

• The proposed holistic approach aims to prevent unnecessary high stimulation and the use of unproven add-ons.
• This redefinition is expected to improve patient welfare and increase accessibility to IVF treatments.

Conclusions:

• Redefining IVF success is essential for optimizing patient care and resource allocation.
• A comprehensive performance index will lead to safer, more effective, and accessible fertility treatments.