Guidelines breached by half of UK fertility clinics selling time lapse imaging

Huge disparities have been found in how clearly and accurately private UK fertility clinics market time-lapse imaging for embryo selection, raising concerns that there is a lack of clarity for patients.

Time-lapse imaging aims to allow continuous monitoring and recording of embryonic development, with the ultimate aim of aiding the selection of embryos most likely to lead to a live birth. While some fertility clinics use the technology as standard, others offer it as a treatment 'add-on' at extra cost to patients. Research published in the journal Human Fertility found that nine in ten fertility clinic websites that mention time-lapse imaging either claimed or implied that this technology led to improved clinical outcomes, despite current evidence showing no significant difference in outcomes when time-lapse imaging is used.

Dr Manuela Perrotta from Queen Mary University of London, who led the research, told BioNews: 'I believe most inaccurate claims found on clinic websites are likely outdated messages due to a lack of maintenance. However, I am concerned these messages might inadvertently fuel patients' interest in these tools. Ensuring clinic websites present accurate and up-to-date information should be a priority, and existing monitoring and complaint systems should be used to address and correct any potential misinformation.'

For the study, she analysed the websites of 71 UK-based private fertility clinics that offer time-lapse imaging of embryos, out of a total of 106 clinics. The work uncovered several significant issues. There was a notable lack of transparency regarding costs of time-lapse imaging, among clinics who offered it. Only 36 percent of those clinics provided pricing, with amounts widely varying between £300 and £850 and approximately 30 percent omitted costs entirely.

Additionally, 48 percent of the clinics offering time-lapse imaging of embryos failed to mention or provide links to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) rating system – originally established in 2019, and revised last year – which is intended to help patients assess the safety and effectiveness of treatment add-ons (see BioNews 1212).

Dr Perrotta emphasised the importance of providing patients with clear, accurate, and transparent information. She stressed that 'in the fertility treatment sector, where patients often bear substantial financial burdens, it is essential for them to have all the necessary information to make informed decisions.'

Concerns around the mis-selling of add-ons have been raised before, leading to the HFEA rating system and also to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)'s 2021 guidelines on how consumer law applies to clinics in the fertility sector (see BioNews 1099). In 2022, the CMA announced plans to look into standardising a single IVF cycle, to make the costs published by fertility clinics on their websites easier to compare (see BioNews 1160).

Dr Manuela Perrotta will discuss her work on fertility clinic websites and IVF add-ons at the next free-to-attend online event from PET – IVF Add-Ons: Building Bridges between Clinics, Regulators and Patients – taking place online next week, on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Register here.