Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:What data concerning in vitro fertilisation patients who have produced 20 or more eggs are held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), in particular whether they maintain records which show the highest numbers of eggs obtained and the frequency with which such numbers of eggs have been obtained from individual patients; and whether they will assess the likely completeness of the HFEA's records regarding the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Answer
This information is not routinely collected by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The HFEA requires clinics to indicate on the treatment report form if a patient has experienced ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome so that no embryos were transferred back to the patient even though viable embryos were available for transfer. Where an egg collection was abandoned or cancelled, the reporting form also asks if this was due to an under- or over-response to ovarian stimulation. Reporting clinics also give details of any other adverse clinical effects recorded in these circumstances. Full information about each treatment cycle is recorded in patients' health records held by clinics and is subject to examination during a HFEA inspection.