Assisted reproductive technology: both sides now.

Over the last 2 decades, increased pregnancy success has been achieved by assisted reproductive technology (ART) at the expense of perinatal well-being from a corresponding rise in multiple births. Multiple pregnancies increase the risk of prematurity, low birth weight, and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Together with recent concerns about possible birth defects and long-term developmental sequelae, modern ART practice is increasingly scrutinized for such adverse perinatal outcomes. Hence, it is mandatory for infertility specialists to look at ART from both sides now--its success and its complications. This article summarizes the prevalence of multiple pregnancies, the risk of low birth weight and possible birth defects, and long-term developmental sequelae associated with ART and discusses some potential approaches to minimizing these perinatal complications. Reducing the number of embryos transferred is an immediate action that can minimize adverse perinatal outcomes associated with multiple births. Continuous refinements in ART techniques will allow the transfer of a single embryo with equivalent rates of pregnancy success leading to a healthy, singleton live birth.