Media Release

Beirut, Lebanon, November 5, 2018 – For many years, experts have been warning us of a world population explosion. However, the growth population has slowed down with 1 in 6 couples globally affected by fertility issues[1]. The Middle East and North Africa, while still presenting one of the highest fertility rates in the world, is currently undergoing one of the fastest declines in such rates in modern times[2] [3]; a pressing topic that was at the center of the 2018 edition of Middle East Fertility Society Scientific Annual Congress, in Beirut, Lebanon.

Nowadays, with older parenthood trend on, and other life-style related factors, infertility has become a common social burden. The couple unable to conceive consults with a doctor, who will investigate the causes of their infertility and will help them take the best informed decisions for their family planning.

“The field of reproductive medicine and endocrinology is rapidly growing with success stories that have resolved many infertility problems”, says Executive director of the Middle East Fertility Society Professor Michel Abou Abdallah. “The diagnosis of infertility may lead to significant levels of emotional distress amongst couples. Thanks to extensive scientific and clinical research in human in vitro diagnostics and fertilization, reproductive specialists now have better tools at their disposal to help them fulfill their dream of  conceiving a a healthy baby.”

Robust diagnostic tests empower clinicians to make the appropriate treatment decisions with confidence. “Our company’s commitment to constant innovation has yielded an array of fertility and maternal tests that deliver highly accurate results to relieve uncertainty as well as support early and appropriate decisions”, says Issam Khneisser, Head of Diagnostics in Lebanon at Roche Diagnostics. “At Roche Diagnostics, we invest in innovative solutions helping women’s journey to motherhood at every stage, from pre-pregnancy to the birth.”

Roche Diagnostics includes a wide portfolio testing to ensure the utmost fertility and pregnancy care. The Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) assay helps to assess ovarian reserve levels especially as women age, to test the levels of AMH secreted and predict the best response to fertility treatment. In addition to non-invasive DNA-based blood test for Down Syndrome; and testing for vitamin D, Thyroid, Iron and preeclampsia ensure good health for mothers and children and help avoid complications by identifying or ruling out deficiencies and infections that may affect their health, or fetus development.

 

References

1 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. https://www.eshre.eu/Press-Room/Resources.aspx (Last accessed March 2018)

2 Eberstadt, Nicholas and Shah, Apoorva, Fertility Decline in the Muslim World: A Veritable Sea-Change, Still Curiously Unnoticed (December 7, 2011).

3Serour G.I., Medical and socio-cultural aspects of infertility in the Middle East. Hum Reprod 2008; 22:34–41.