Frozen embryos: a life-saving option

Ku, Lowell T.; Elster, Nanette; Nakajima, Steven T.

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.07.1374

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Volume 90, Issue 3 , Pages 849.e15-849.e16, September 2008

Frozen embryos: a life-saving option

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

Received 30 April 2007; received in revised form 25 July 2007; accepted 25 July 2007. published online 19 November 2007.

Objective

To discuss an additional option for frozen embryos that can be a life-saving alternative.

Design

Case report and literature review.

Setting

Academic fertility center.

Patient(s)

A woman with a previous hysterectomy and frozen embryos who had a daughter afflicted with aplastic anemia.

Intervention(s)

Four thawed multicell embryos were transfered to the patient's 37-year-old multiparous sister.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Alternative disposition of frozen embryos.

Result(s)

The HLA type of the infant was found to be an exact match for the daughter dying from aplastic anemia.

Conclusion(s)

The use of frozen embryos to prolong an existing individual's life is an additional ethical option to be considered by couples and individuals with cryopreserved embryos.

Key Words: Embryo cryopreservation, frozen embryos, surrogate, aplastic anemia