WOMEN having fertility treatment could be limited to only a single embryo implanted into the womb, under proposals designed to cut the number of multiple births.

The Government’s fertility watchdog is to review regulations that currently permit two or even three embryos to be used in IVF, leaving mothers and infants open to the serious health risks of multiple pregnancies.

At present, more than 90 per cent of IVF procedures performed in Britain use either two or three embryos to improve the chances of conception. This practice, however, is recognised to be the biggest health hazard in fertility treatment, as it significantly increases the chances of twins or triplets: one in four IVF pregnancies ends in a multiple birth.

Twins and triplets are significantly more likely to be born prematurely or underweight, increasing the risk of physical or learning disabilities. Twins are four times more likely than singletons to be stillborn or to die in the first week of life, and the risk for triplets is seven times greater. Multiple pregnancies are also more dangerous for mothers, who are significantly more likely to miscarry or to suffer dangerous complications such as preeclampsia.

Last yearthe Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) introduced new rules allowing a maximum of two embryos to be transferred to women under 40, and a maximum of three in older patients.

Angela McNab, its chief executive, announced yesterday that the authority will investigate whether it should follow the example of several European countries and introduce even tougher restrictions. An expert group will be appointed to review the issue, starting in the autumn.

Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands insist on single embryo transfer for women in their 20s who have the highest chance of conceiving. Ms McNab said: “Women are designed to have healthy babies, one at a time, and with natural conception this is what usually happens. The HFEA wants to see the results of fertility treatment come closer to what occurs naturally.” She acknowledged, however, that single embryo transfer is most successful in countries where multiple cycles of IVF are available free. The NHS funds only a single cycle with significantly lower success rates.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: “There is no doubt that this is the way for the future and if we are serious about reducing the risk of multiple pregnancy it is the only option in practice.”

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