Preimplantation sex selection demand and preferences among infertility patients in Midwestern United States

Purpose To determine the demand and preferences of infertility patients for sex selection for nonmedical reasons, and to investigate the relation between these choices and their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional, self-administered survey by mail was conducted at a University hospital-based fertility center of 1,350 consecutive women who presented for infertility care, to assess patient demand and preferences for sex selection. Results Of respondents, 49% wanted to select the sex of their next child for no added cost. Of these patients, 56% had no living children and 37% had children all of one sex. After adjustment for observed predictors of gender preference, we found a significant preference for a female child among women who had only sons, had more living children, or were single. Nulliparous women did not significantly prefer one sex over the other. Among parous women, those with only daughters significantly desired to select a male child, whereas those with sons significantly desired to select a female child. Conclusion There is significant demand among infertility patients for preimplantation sex selection, with a significant portion of this demand coming from patients who do not have any children or have children all of one sex. Presented in part at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 2006. Financial support: none Conflict of interest: none