Analysis of IVF live birth outcomes with and without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A): UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority data collection 2016–2018

Purpose

To examine the live birth and other outcomes reported with and without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in the United Kingdom (UK) Human Embryology and Fertilization Authority (HFEA) data collection.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted following freedom of information (FoI) requests to the HFEA for the PGT-A and non-PGT-A cycle outcomes for 2016–2018. Statistical analysis of diferences between PGT-A and non-PGT-A cycles was performed. Other than grouping by maternal age, no further confounders were controlled for; fresh and frozen transfers were included.

Results

Outcomes collected between 2016 and 2018 included total number of cycles, cycles with no embryo transfer, total number of embryos transferred, live birth rate (LBR) per embryo transferred and live birth rate per treatment cycle. Data was available for 2464 PGT-A out of a total 190,010 cycles. LBR per embryo transferred and LBR per treatment cycle (including cycles with no transfer) were signifcantly higher for all PGT-A vs non-PGT-A age groups (including under 35), with nearly all single embryo transfers (SET) after PGT-A (signifcantly more in non-PGT-A) and a reduced number of transfers per live birth particularly for cycles with maternal age over 40 years.

Conclusion

The retrospective study provides strong evidence for the benefts of PGT-A in terms of live births per embryo transferred and per cycle started but is limited in terms of matching PGT-A and non-PGT-A cohorts (e.g. in future studies, other confounders could be controlled for). This data challenges the HFEA “red trafc light” guidance that states there is “no evidence that PGT-A is efective or safe” and hence suggests the statement be revisited in the light of this and other new data.