Cleveland Clinic Delivers Baby from Uterine Transplant

CLEVELAND – For just the second time anywhere in the world – and first time in North America – the Cleveland Clinic has delivered a baby from a uterus transplanted by a deceased donor. 

The transplant and birth is part of an ongoing clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic to treat uterine factor infertility, an irreversible condition that affects one in 500 women of childbearing age around the world.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Everything went wonderfully with the delivery, the mother and baby girl are doing great,” said Dr. Uma Perni, Cleveland Clinic maternal fetal medicine specialist, in a statement.  “It’s important to remember this is still research. The field of uterus transplantation is rapidly evolving, and it’s exciting to see what the options may be for women in the future.”

In June, the Cleveland Clinic team – specialists from 12 fields including transplant surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, fertility, neonatology, psychiatry, bioethics and patient advocacy – delivered the baby girl via cesarean section. The uterus was transplanted in late 2017 and the mother became pregnant through in vitro fertilization late last year.

“It was amazing how perfectly normal this delivery was, considering how extraordinary the occasion,” said Cleveland Clinic transplant surgeon  Dr. Andreas Tzakis. “Through this research, we aim to make these extraordinary events, ordinary for the women who choose this option. We are grateful to the donor and her family, their generosity allowed our patient’s dream to come true and a new baby to be born.”

Since the clinic began the trial program, five uterus transplants have been completed, three successfully. Currently, two women are waiting for embryo transfers and “several more candidates” are on the transplant list. The clinical trial aims to enroll 10 women between 21 and 39 years old. 

More information on the clinical trial is available here.

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