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What are the pros and cons of intralipids infusions during IVF?

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1 fertility expert(s) answered this question

Answer from: Orestis Tsonis, MD, MSc, PhD

Gynaecologist, Specialist in Reproductive Medicine at Guy’s And St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
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Well, the main advantages of intralipid treatment in these cases are the fact that the people, the patients do have an option to use it. Although this is an off-label use of the drug and also withholding any treatment is unethical so right counseling for these patients is mandatory. But again based on the HFEA regulation, in other words the UK government – fertility regulator, the use of any immunological tests and treatments as part of fertility treatment in healthy patients is rated as red. In other words, this is because there is no evidence from randomized control trials (RCTs) whatsoever to show that they are effective at improving their chances of having a baby for most fertility patients.
It’s fundamental in medicine that “Primum non nocere” – in other words first do no harm. None of these treatments are harmless and some of their side effects are serious, for example they can give rise to severe allergic reactions and make patients susceptible to infection that could also affect the baby. All the good evidence to date shows that there is a risk of considerable harm without any increase in the chances of a live birth.

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What are benefits of using intralipids infusions during IVF?

The studies on use of the intralipids are still conducted. Answers are not yet clear and therefore individual doctors, clinics are following different protocols.

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