Live Birth Rate
The percentage of ART cycles that result in the delivery of at least one live-born infant, the ultimate success measure in fertility treatment.
Full Definition
Live birth rate represents the most clinically meaningful outcome measure in assisted reproductive technology, calculated as the number of cycles resulting in live birth divided by the total number of cycles initiated or embryo transfers performed. This rate accounts for pregnancy losses, pregnancy complications, and delivery outcomes. Live birth rates are typically reported per retrieval cycle, per transfer cycle, or per patient, and are stratified by maternal age and other prognostic factors. Regulatory bodies and professional societies use live birth rates as the primary metric for clinic performance reporting.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the denominator (per cycle started, per retrieval, per transfer) when reporting live birth rates.
In Context
- "The clinic's live birth rate for patients under 35 was 52% per fresh embryo transfer cycle." — Quality metrics report
- "Cumulative live birth rates reached 85% after three complete IVF cycles in this age group." — Research publication