Miracle baby gives IVF couples hope
- 00:01:37
- ITN
Miracle baby gives IVF couples hope
A baby boy has become the first in the world to be born following a new egg-screening technique. Oliver was born to his 41-year-old mother following 13 failed attempts at IVF. The CARE Fertility Group in Nottingham used array CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridisation) to pick the egg which produced Oliver. The technique involves selecting those eggs which are chromosomally normal and have the best chance of producing a pregnancy. Experts believe the technique could significantly improve a couples' chance of having successful fertility treatment. Professor Simon Fishel, managing director of CARE Fertility Group, said: "Full chromosome analysis may double the chance of success in couples who have a poor chance of conceiving or a history of failed treatments and miscarriage; and maximise the chance of pregnancy in all couples." The technique also has the potential to reduce the incidence of miscarriages and birth defects. Array CGH is currently only available at CARE Fertility. A trial carried out by the clinic and American researchers in 2008 found that the technique could double success rates.
ITN | September 2, 2009
