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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [HEALTH]

2 clusters · 37 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Greek woman gives birth to baby from 22-year-old embryo

Overview

In Athens, Greece, a 54-year-old woman, Christina Rapti-Tzelepi, gave birth to a baby girl using an embryo that had been cryopreserved for over 22 years. The embryo was originally frozen in March 2004 during an IVF procedure that also produced the couple’s first son. Following the death of their son in a car accident in October 2025, the couple utilized the remaining frozen embryo, which was transferred in December 2025.

Medical experts noted that this case represents a significant milestone, as the duration of cryopreservation leading to a live birth is among the longest documented in medical literature. Dr. Konstantinos Pantos, head of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, highlighted the case’s importance because it involved an autologous embryo.

The birth has also prompted discussions regarding Greek reproductive laws. The couple’s husband, Konstantinos Raptis, has called for a revision of the current legal age limit of 54 for women undergoing IVF, noting that they still have nine embryos in storage that they are currently unable to use due to these restrictions.

Entities

Christina Rapti-Tzelepi · Konstantinos Pantos · Genesis Athens · Mitera Maternity Hospital · National Authority of Assisted Reproduction

Timeline

  1. about 8 hours ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Greece: 54-year-old woman gives birth using 22-year-old embryo

    A 54-year-old Greek woman has given birth to a daughter using an embryo frozen for 22 years, prompting calls to reform national IVF age limits.

  2. 3 days ago

    [HEALTH] 34 sources
    Athens woman gives birth to baby from embryo frozen for 22 years

    A 54-year-old Greek woman gave birth to a baby girl using an embryo frozen for over 22 years, setting a potential medical record for the longest cryopreservation period resulting in a live birth.

Sources

agrinionews.gr · ahoradigital.net · alfajertv.com · almasalah.com · cancan.ro · e-radio.gr · e-sante.fr · efsyn.gr · ekirikas.com · emvolos.gr · ertnews.gr · estrepublicain.fr · ethnos.gr · fr.news.yahoo.com · g4media.ro · greekherald.com.au · hotnews.ro · larissanet.gr · lesvosnews.net · lykavitos.gr · n1info.ba · news.yam.md · novosadska.tv · otvoreno.me · portalgilbertosilva.com.br · razydzisiaj.pl · sputnikportal.rs · srpskainfo.com · stiripesurse.ro · tanea.gr · tovima.gr · tvn-2.com · vecer.mk · vesti.bg · vosgesmatin.fr · whec.com · zarpanews.gr