A total of 66 cases of severe and critical ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were reported by fertility clinics to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in 2021/2022, according its State of the fertility sector 2021/22 report.
This was roughly consistent with previous years and represented less than 0.1 percent of all egg collection cycles. No 'Grade A' incidents, which involve 'severe harm to one person, or major harm to many' were reported in 2021/22 the Authority confirmed.
The report was compiled following 105 inspections of fertility clinics in the UK carried out in 2021/22. A total of 231 non-compliances were identified, four percent of which were classed as 'critical', which the HFEA classifies as 'an area of practice which poses a significant risk of causing harm to a patient, donor, embryo or to a child who may be born as a result of treatment services, or a significant shortcoming from the statutory requirements.'
The HFEA licensed a total of 104 fertility clinics in the UK in 2021/22, 60 percent of which were privately owned, representing a slight increase from the previous year. The majority of fertility clinics are based in London.