Transferring just one IVF embryo to a mother’s womb cuts the risk of stillbirth infant death, a study has found.

Transferring more than one embryo is known to increase the risk of multiple pregnancies, which creates hazards for both mothers and babies

Deaths were 53 per cent more likely to occur when two embryos were transferred.

The difference was even greater when fresh, rather than frozen, embryos were used.

Twins accounted for half the total number of infant deaths occurring up to 28 days after birth.

Transferring more than one embryo is known to increase the risk of multiple pregnancies, which creates hazards for both mothers and babies.

The research involved an analysis of more than 50,000 births recorded in Australia and New Zealand between 2004 and 2008.

Elizabeth Sullivan, from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, said: “There is justification for advocating SET (single embryo transfer) as first line management in assisted reproduction with the aim of minimising preventable perinatal deaths.”

Perinatal deaths include stillbirths and infant deaths.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Istanbul, Turkey.

Claire Lewis-Jones, chief executive of patient charity Infertility Network UK, said: “We welcome a move towards SET, and this report gives the medical profession more evidence to encourage patients to accept SET, which reduces the risks of multiple births to both mother and babies and gives the best possible outcome – one healthy baby.”