Project

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as IVF, represent one of the major developments of the past century allowing millions of couples to achieve parenthood. One in 25 children is conceived in Australia using ART. A further unknown proportion is conceived using prescribed medications in ovulation induction. The lack of conclusive findings on the role of these medically assisted fertility treatments on reproductive outcomes and the health outcomes of the children has created an increasing important evidence gap for advising patients, clinicians, and policy makers on their role in clinical practice and safety.

Population datasets in NSW and the ACT will be linked to the Australian and New Zealand.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Database (ANZARD) and the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS). The aims of the study are to:

1. Determine the number and proportion of children conceived by medically assisted fertility treatments, thus providing evidence on the role and contribution of ART and non ART treatments to clinical care, family formation and population demographics in Australia.
2. Estimate reproductive and obstetric outcomes of women and men following fertility treatments, including the proportion of children conceived spontaneously to women who have unsuccessfully undergone ART treatment or ovulation induction in Australia.
3. Quantify the risk of adverse health outcomes in children under two years of age conceived from ART and non ART fertility treatments as compared to those spontaneously conceived after accounting for confounders, in particular underlying subfertility.
4. Estimate the risk of adverse health outcomes in children conceived using the most commonly variations in ART practice: intracytoplasmic sperm injection, cryopreservation, extended embryo culture and multiple embryo transfer.
5. Validate the ANZARD database against the MBS and NSW/ACT PDC.