[Socioeconomic approach to the practice of in vitro fertilization in the Brittany region in 1993]. / Approche socio-économique de la pratique de la fécondation in vitro en région Bretagne en 1993.

AIM OF THE STUDY: to estimate the social and economical point of view of the practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Brittany in 1993. METHODS: we made a prospective study of 152 cases of IVF. We studied the medical history of sterility of the patients, treatments during IVF, hormonal and ultrasound monitoring, oocytes retrieval and embryo transfer, and the screening until beta-hCG > 1,000 UI or evidence of pregnancy with ultrasound scan. After analysing results of IVF, we studied the cost of all these steps, including hospitalization, transports and stoppage. RESULTS: we estimated the mean price of one IVF cycle at 11,084 francs. We analysed the portion of each step in the total cost and discussed with the view of literature. CONCLUSION: the cost of IVF seems reasonable in this context.