Test Tube Babies On the Rise Worldwide

More than 200,000 babies were born worldwide with the help of in vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies in 2002, with a 25 percent increase between 2000 and 2002, according to a new report.

However, the "Octomom" aside, multiple births resulting from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been on the decline, with Europe and Australia-New Zealand leading the way in the reduction of multiples, say the scientists responsible for the report published online today in the journal Human Reproduction.

(Multiple births, rather than being seen as a success, are considered a serious medical complication with potentially harmful effects for both babies and mom.)

The report included 2002 data from 1,563 clinics in 53 countries with data missing from some countries, mostly in Asia, Africa, Oceania and the West Indies. The authors estimated the "missing" countries likely performed 10 percent to 20 percent of ART procedures, and the researchers took this into account when calculating worldwide numbers.

Here are more report highlights:

* The transfer of multiple embryos has decreased, leading to a slight decline in multiple births.

* Overall, the...