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A PIONEERING IVF screening test dramatically increases the chance of a woman getting pregnant, a trial has shown.

The test checks for abnormalities and more than doubles the chance of a woman conceiving.

Initial results also show a live birth success rate of 80 per cent per cycle of IVF.

The screening checks chromosomes in the embryo and only those embryos with the best chance of success are used.

It also "virtually eliminates" the risk of conditions such as Down's syndrome and cuts the risk of miscarriage.

Dr Dagan Wells, from Oxford University, who led the study, described the results as "astonishing".

More than 20 babies have so far been born as a result of the screening.

He hopes the test could become standard practice and help boost birth rates in private and NHSclinics.

It is particularly useful for older women, who have a higher chance of producing eggs with genetic defects.

But it could benefit younger women - maximising their chances of falling pregnant in each IVF cycle.

The trial results showed that 66 per cent of women fell pregnant after screening - compared to 28 per cent who fell pregnant without it.

Many of the women were on their "last chance" at IVF - they were typically aged 39 with two failed IVF cycles behind them.

The screening technique, called comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH), enables doctors to remove cells from an embryo when it is a few days old.

The cells are analysed and the best embryos selected for transplantation into the mother's womb.

CGH is only offered at a handful of UK clinics but it is expected to become more popular if further studies confirm its value.

Dr Wells said: "We were taken aback by the impact it had on the success rates.

"We can say with great confidence that we are seeing a positive effect."

The research involved 115 patients in the US and cells were transported to Oxford for analysis.

Dr Wells added: "The thing that's got a big impact for us in the UK is that the implantation rate is high - that's the probability of one embryo becoming a baby.

"After this test, if we transfer one embryo, we would expect two-thirds of women to get pregnant.

"Traditionally, we have not done this test with younger patients because the risk of chromosomal abnormality in embryos increases with age.

"But this may help younger women because it virtually eliminates the risk of conditions like Down's. If these results are replicated then there would be an argument for making this the standard of care.

"This would have huge emotional implications for patients and financial implications for the NHS."

CGH costs £2000 on top of the normal fee for IVF.

The world's most famous IVF mum is Nadya Suleman, 33, who gave birth to octuplets in January.

Consultant gynaecologist Stuart Lavery said: "The figures are amazing compared to conventional approaches."

Fertility expert Dr Allan Pacey said: "Embryology is crying out for something like this."