The number of conceptions
assisted by technology 
increased from 2005-2006.
Image: iStockhoto 

More than 10,000 babies were born to women who had fertility treatments in Australia and New Zealand in 2006, according to the latest assisted reproduction technology (ART) report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

According to the report, Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and New Zealand 2006, 9,291 babies were born in Australia, and 1,231 were born in New Zealand following assisted reproduction treatment.

'Of these 10,522 babies, most (over 78 per cent) were single births, the highest proportion ever reported. About 20 per cent were twins and less than 1 per cent were higher order multiple births,' said Professor Peter Illingworth, President of the Fertility Society of Australia.

The number of babies whose conception was assisted by fertility treatments increased by 5 per cent over the previous year, adding to a 34 per cent rise in 'ART babies' since 2002.

'Single-embryo transfer cycles are on the rise, reflecting the continuing trend of fewer embryos transferred per ART treatment cycle,' Mr Illingworth said.

More than half (57 per cent) of all embryo transfer cycles in 2006 were single-embryo transfers, compared to around 48 per cent in 2005, 41 per cent in 2004, 32 per cent in 2003 and 28 per cent in 2002.

'The increase in single-embryo transfer cycles resulted in more single baby or singleton deliveries,' he said.

The report showed a 13.7 per cent increase in treatment cycles over 2005. There were 53,543 treatment cycles in 2006. Of them, about 91 per cent (48,607) were in Australian fertility centres and 9 per cent (4,936) in New Zealand centres.

Of the 48,607 treatment cycles carried out in Australia, 22 per cent resulted in a clinical pregnancy, and 17 per cent resulted in a live delivery.

Of the 4,936 treatment cycles in New Zealand, 28 per cent resulted in a clinical pregnancy, and 22 per cent in a live delivery.

The highest live delivery rate (over 26 per cent) was in women aged 26-31 years who used their own fresh eggs. The live delivery rate decreased progressively for women after the age of 31.

For women aged 40 years or older who used their own fresh eggs, only 6 per cent of cycles resulted in a live delivery. However, the proportion of women aged older than 40 years who did achieve successful birth outcomes has increased from 14 per cent in 2002 to 16 per cent in 2006.