Severe haemophilia following use of donor eggs: implications for screening of prospective donors

Abstract

Oocyte donation has become a common treatment modality for a range of infertility conditions. The Shared Egg Donation (SED) scheme is one of various strategies that now exist to try and overcome shortages, that have invariably occurred from the very success of oocyte donation procedures. Despite a reassuring positive profile that has been demonstrated, some residual concerns still exist with regard to the SED programme. We report the first case of severe haemophilia following use of donor eggs in the SED scheme. The case has not only illustrated potential problems that can occur with egg donation schemes, but also suggested a plausible model on which to base future management of similar cases. The case furthermore illustrates that there is no substitute for ‘good practice’ in ensuring those risks and concerns of egg donation programmes are kept to acceptable limits.