Cost-effectiveness of in vitro fertilization

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost per woman delivered of pregnancies from an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, and to assess what factors contribute to the cost. METHODS: The cost during 2 years' experience of a single IVF program was analyzed retrospectively. Cost analysis included cost of the IVF procedure itself as well as costs incurred because of maternal and neonatal complications. RESULTS: The major contributor to the total cost of IVF was high-order multiple pregnancies. The cost per woman delivered of singleton or twin pregnancies was approximately $39,000, whereas the cost per woman delivered of triplet and quadruplet pregnancies was approximately $340,000. CONCLUSION: In vitro fertilization can be cost-effective if steps are taken to minimize high-order multiple (triplet or more) pregnancies.

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