Greek couple births child from 22‑year‑old frozen embryo

A couple from Athens announced the birth of their son on Tuesday, marking the first successful use in Greece of an embryo that had been cryopreserved for 22 years. The child was conceived through in‑vitro fertilisation (IVF) after the couple’s stored embryo, created in 2002, was thawed and implanted at a private fertility clinic in the capital.

The embryo was originally frozen at the clinic’s laboratory following a standard IVF cycle in which the couple, then in their early thirties, produced multiple embryos. After deciding not to proceed with a transfer at that time, one embryo was placed in long‑term storage. In 2024, the couple, now in their mid‑fifties, requested its use; the clinic reported that the thawed embryo survived the process, resulting in a successful pregnancy and a healthy full‑term delivery. The case surpasses the previous European record of a 21‑year‑old frozen embryo that led to a live birth and aligns with recent data showing that embryos can remain viable for decades when stored under optimal conditions. Greek legislation permits embryo storage for up to 20 years, but the clinic obtained a special extension in accordance with national health regulations.

The birth underscores the durability of modern cryopreservation techniques and offers renewed hope for individuals and couples who have previously stored embryos. Medical experts note that the outcome may encourage reassessment of storage limits and highlight the importance of clear consent procedures for long‑term embryo preservation.