Reason for pregnancy fall at IVF unit is still a mystery

News Reporter

Wednesday 19 December 2012

THE cause of a sudden dip in fertilisation and conception rates at an IVF unit in Glasgow remains unknown, health chiefs have said.

Custom byline text:

Helen McArdle

Papers presented at the monthly board meeting of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the circumstances surrounding a fall in pregnancies at Glasgow Royal Infirmary's Assisted Conception Service were still under review, but no one single issue had been identified as the cause.

The Herald revealed earlier this month that conception rates at the unit had plummeted from around 30% to 15% between September and November. Building work on the floor above has been suggested as a possible cause of contamination.The health board has transferred its IVF patients to the private Nuffield hospital in Glasgow for treatment and offered couples who may have been affected by the problem a complimentary cycle of IVF. An update presented at a board meeting yesterday said: "The service moved off-site in the second week of November 2012 and the review was under way. "To date no one single issue had been identified as the cause of the downturn in the percentage of fertilisation which would normally be expected, although it was noted that building work was ongoing within this area and that aspect, along with a full review of the clinical aspects of the service, was being considered. "The practicalities of offering a further cycle to those patients who may have been affected during the period under review would be worked through as soon as possible."The health board has to submit the findings of its investigation to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates IVF in the UK.

Contextual targeting label:

Health

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Reason for pregnancy fall at IVF unit is still a mystery

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED