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Experts seek to reduce multiple births

27/06/2008

A national strategy has been launched today to reduce the number of multiple pregnancies in the UK.

The issue is being targeted as multiple pregnancies are the single biggest health risk of fertility treatment.

Over the next three years the strategy will aim to reduce the rate of multiple births from the national average of 24 per cent of all IVF births to ten per cent over three years.

From January 2009 all fertility clinics will be expected not to exceed the 24 per cent maximum.

Guidance is due to be published in the next few weeks advising professionals on best practice and a website - oneatatime.org.uk - has been set up with information for patients and professionals.

"For many people who have gone through the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment, the prospect of having an instant family with twins is very appealing," said Jane Denton, director of the Multiple Birth Foundation.

"Through the One at a Time campaign and its website, we hope to give professionals, patients and the public authoritative information about multiple pregnancy and births to help them understand the risks and consequences and why the aim with each IVF treatment cycle should be to give the best chance of having one live, healthy baby."

Consultant paediatrician Alun Elias-Jones commented: "The risk of an adverse outcome for a multiple birth is much greater than for singleton births. Some children have a traumatic start to life, extended stays in neonatal units and others can have serious, long term health problems.

"For doctors like myself who care for these children through a lifetime of problems reducing the risks of multiple births is vital.

"With an increasing number of people undergoing fertility treatment each year it is important that all of us, professionals and patients, understand and address this issue."