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Do Premature Twins Cost More Than 10 Times the Cost of Assisted Reproduction? Single Embryo Transfer Helps Reduce the Risk of Preterm Birth
Yahoo Kimo News Report, November 16, 2020
November 17 is World Prematurity Day. The world’s lightest premature baby was born in Germany in 2016 at 26 weeks, weighing only 226 grams. Taiwan’s lightest premature baby was born in Changhua in 2015 at 24 weeks, weighing 339 grams, and was discharged only after 175 days of care by the medical team.
The birth of a premature baby requires significant manpower, resources, and expenses from the government, hospitals, and families. Helping these tiny fighters grow up is truly not easy.
Among the causes of preterm birth, a very high proportion is related to twin or multiple pregnancies. Statistics show that in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, the cost of premature twins staying in a neonatal intensive care unit, NICU, for two weeks can be more than 10 times the cost of one assisted reproductive treatment cycle.
Therefore, to reduce the incidence of premature birth, the assisted reproductive medicine field strongly advocates Single Embryo Transfer, SET, with the goal of helping patients give birth to full-term, healthy babies.
World Prematurity Day on November 17: Starting with awareness of premature birth
According to the World Health Organization, newborns born before 37 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 2,500 grams are considered premature or low-birth-weight babies.
Every year, November 17 is World Prematurity Day. Hundreds of countries around the world hold various events to raise awareness of premature birth, reminding the public to focus on prevention, early recognition, and long-term follow-up of premature babies’ development, helping these tiny warriors grow up healthily.
In Taiwan in 2018, 1 in every 10 newborns was premature. Hospital care expenses for premature babies accounted for nearly half of the National Health Insurance resources used for newborn care.
In addition, statistics show that premature and low-birth-weight babies account for 25% of neonatal mortality. This is mainly because the organ systems of premature babies may not yet be fully developed, leading to a higher risk of complications. Therefore, premature babies are considered a high-risk group for neonatal death.
According to data from Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, for pregnant women at 22 to 28 weeks of gestation, extending the pregnancy by just one more day can increase the survival rate of premature babies by about 3%.
In view of this, to improve pregnancy health, the Health Promotion Administration and the Taiwan Foundation for Premature Infants both provide extensive information on pregnancy, premature birth, and special care needs. In particular, the premature infant home care handbook compiled by the Health Promotion Administration aims to help premature babies and their families get through this difficult growth journey and reduce the tragedy of tiny lives not having enough time to grow.
From birth to care, the burden is heavy: premature twin care costs may turn “selling a house to have a child” into reality
Among the factors leading to preterm birth, twin or multiple pregnancies account for a very high proportion. In addition, postnatal care for premature babies may lead to many further challenges, including financial pressure.
In general, premature babies may first be placed in the neonatal intensive care unit, NICU, for treatment and care after birth. They are transferred to a regular neonatal ward only after their condition becomes stable.
The cost of a NICU stay is not low. Taking National Taiwan University Hospital as an example, the NICU ward costs NT$8,000 per day. If premature twins stay in the NICU for two weeks, the bill for 15 days of NICU care alone can reach NT$240,000.
This does not include additional costs caused by extremely low or very low birth weight requiring special care, respiratory problems requiring special equipment, extended NICU care, increased medical staffing, or the use of professional medical devices.
Based on calculations, the cost for premature twins staying in the NICU for two weeks may be more than 10 times the cost of one assisted reproductive treatment cycle.
Japan’s SET rate is four times that of Taiwan; Yun-I’s high SET rate reflects “The Power of ONE”
Dr. Hui-Po Li, Director of Yun-I Reproductive Center, stated:
“Premature babies may need ventilators or NICU care because their lungs are immature. Low birth weight may also lead to feeding problems. In the long term, the child’s growth, development, hearing, vision, and even learning ability may be affected. This also creates a burden on family caregiving manpower and finances.
To reduce the chance of premature birth, I often communicate with and educate patients that the ultimate goal of assisted reproduction is to deliver a healthy, normal, full-term baby. In fact, carefully culturing embryos and selecting the single best-quality embryo for transfer is the most complete approach when considering the physical and emotional health of the pregnant woman.
Currently, the proportion of SET in the United States and the United Kingdom exceeds 40%. In Japan, the SET rate is more than four times higher than in Taiwan, and the proportion of singleton births exceeds 90%.
Since its establishment in April, Yun-I has actively promoted SET. In the second and third quarters, Yun-I’s SET rate was more than three times the national rate in Taiwan. This represents Yun-I’s strong belief that the path of Single Embryo Transfer, The Power of ONE, is correct and feasible, and it aligns with the global trend of encouraging healthy singleton pregnancies.”
