From the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Use of assisted reproductive technology--United States, 1996 and 1998.

Since 1983, when the first infant was conceived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States, the use of IVF and related procedures (assisted reproductive technology [ART]) has increased substantially. In 1998, an estimated 0.7% of the 3.9 million births were the result of ART. ART patients are more likely to deliver multiple infants than women who conceive without treatment, and these multiple-infant births are associated with increased risks for pregnancy complications, premature delivery, low birth-weight infants, and long-term disability among surviving infants. This report examines state-specific use of ART in 1996 and 1998 and provides data on ART live-born and multiple-infant birth rates in 1998. Findings indicate that the use of ART is increasing in most states and that more than half the infants born as a result of these procedures are multiple births. These high-risk births contribute disproportionately to health-care costs and might negatively affect maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in states where large numbers of ART procedures are performed.