Child conceived from a 1994-frozen embryo sets a new global record as the oldest ever born.
In a groundbreaking development, a baby named Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was born in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the field of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Thaddeus was born from an embryo that was frozen for an astonishing 30.5 years, making him the world's oldest baby.
Linda Archerd and her then-husband created four embryos in total in May 1994 during their attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF) after six years of unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. One of these embryos was frozen using a slow-freezing method, and it was this embryo that led to Thaddeus's birth.
The 30.5-year-old embryos survived the thawing process, and in November 2024, two of them were transferred to Lindsey Pierce's uterus. One of the transfers resulted in a successful implantation and the birth of Thaddeus.
The Snowflakes program, led by Beth Button, accepted Archerd's 30.5-year-old embryos. This program specializes in the use of frozen embryos for IVF procedures.
Thaddeus's birth marks the first time that embryos frozen for more than 30 years have resulted in a live birth. Previously, the record for the world's oldest baby was held by twins born from 30-year-old frozen embryos in 2022.
The use of frozen embryos in IVF procedures is now very common and has become a key component of treatment. Most IVF babies in countries like Australia are born from frozen embryos, and over 93% of IVF cycles involve single embryo transfers frequently using frozen embryos to increase success rates and safety.
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) offers several advantages, including improved cumulative live birth rates since embryos can be transferred in a uterus better prepared than for fresh cycles. It reduces the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple births and allows fewer repeated ovarian stimulation cycles.
However, advancements in freezing and thawing methods are still required to optimize pregnancy outcomes and manage any associated risks. For example, some evidence suggests FET is associated with a slightly increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and larger birth weights, although obstetric outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight tend to improve compared to fresh ET. The thawing process also requires careful handling to maintain embryo viability.
Advancements have included refined cryopreservation techniques such as vitrification, which minimize ice crystal formation and greatly improve embryo survival rates upon thawing. Protocols for transferring frozen embryos have also evolved, with some studies showing that modified natural cycles for FET yield better live birth rates and lower miscarriage compared to artificial cycles.
Lindsey Pierce, Thaddeus's mother, compared the situation to a sci-fi movie. She and Archerd did not want the cryopreserved embryos to be thrown away, donated to research, or given to another family anonymously.
Over 13 million babies have been born with the help of ART like IVF in the past 47 years, demonstrating the significant impact of these technologies on families worldwide. The technology now enables reliable embryo freezing and thawing, contributing significantly to the overall success of IVF globally.
- The development marks a significant milestone in the field of technology, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), specifically.
- The embryos were created in May 1994 during attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- A key component of IVF treatment now includes the use of frozen embryos.
- In Australia, most IVF babies are born from frozen embryos.
- Over 93% of IVF cycles involve single embryo transfers frequently using frozen embryos.
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET) offers improved cumulative live birth rates.
- FET reduces the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple births.
- FET allows fewer repeated ovarian stimulation cycles.
- Advancements in freezing and thawing methods are still required to optimize pregnancy outcomes.
- Some evidence suggests FET is associated with a slightly increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
- The thawing process requires careful handling to maintain embryo viability.
- Refined cryopreservation techniques, such as vitrification, minimize ice crystal formation.
- Modified natural cycles for FET yield better live birth rates and lower miscarriage.
- The Snowflakes program, led by Beth Button, specializes in the use of frozen embryos for IVF procedures.
- Thaddeus's birth marks the first time that embryos frozen for more than 30 years have resulted in a live birth.
- Previously, the record for the world's oldest baby was held by twins born from 30-year-old frozen embryos in 2022.
- The technology now enables reliable embryo freezing and thawing, contributing significantly to the overall success of IVF globally.
- Lindsey Pierce, Thaddeus's mother, compared the situation to a sci-fi movie.
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- Linda Archerd, Thaddeus's biological mother, and her then-husband created four embryos during their attempts at pregnancy.
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