The German IVF-Registry D·I·R

Systematic data collection in the field of assisted reproductive techniques is performed in Germany since 30 years. Since 1997, data collection is performed electronically and in a prospective way. In 1998, by a code of the German Medical Association participation at the registry has become mandatory for all IVF centres in Germany. Different software solutions can be used in the centres for data collection. All of them have to cooperate with a special DIRmod-DLL , controlling online plausibility and prospectivity of the collected data. More than one million treatment cycles have been reported in the annuals published since 1996 up to 2010. All in all 1.2 millions cycles are included in the registry. Clinical pregnancy rate increased continuously and miscarriage rate decreased. By reduction of the mean number of transferred embryos of about 20% the percentage of born triplets in relationship to all children born after ART decreased of about 80%. It can be shown with the huge number of documented cycles that political decisions exert a dominating influence on treatment and drug choice. The German IVF registry has been established over the last 30 years as an instrument of quality assurance and has experienced highest regard by colleagues and by the international scientific world.