ASSISTED HATCHING REDUCES THE AGE-RELATED DECLINE IN IVF OUTCOME IN WOMEN YOUNGER THAN AGE 43 WITHOUT INCREASING MISCARRIAGE OR MONOZYGOTICTWINNING

Purpose: Our purpose was to examine the benefits of assisted hatching in our program and to determine whether the procedure increases the im plantation of nonviable embryos or monozygotic twinning. Methods: Cons ecutive in vitro fertilization cycles using assisted hatching were com pared with historical controls. The impact of assisted hatching was an alyzed according to the woman's age. Outcome measures were clinical pr egnancy, implantation rate, delivery rate, multiple pregnancy, spontan eous abortion, and incidence of monozygotic twins. Results: The implan tation rate was increased in women aged 35-39 and markedly increased i n women aged 40-42. There was no change in spontaneous abortions and n o increase in monozygotic twins. Conclusions: Assisted hatching is tr safe and highly effective adjunct to in vitro fertilization for women aged 35-42 and did not increase spontaneous abortion or monozygotic tw inning.