Medical group examining Beverly Hills fertility doctor in octuplets case

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine said it is going to look into the case of the Whittier mother who gave birth to octuplets last month -- and who now has 14 children.

The mother, 33-year-old Nadya Suleman, went to a Beverly Hills doctor, whose fertility treatment led to the birth of her octuplets -- and her six previous children.

West Coast IVF Clinic is run by Dr. Michael M. Kamrava, who has declined to comment about the case. The California Medical Board previously announced an investigation, and the reproductive medicine society is now following suit.

"We are pleased that the California Medical Board has announced they will be investigating this matter, and we are prepared to assist them in any way we can," said R. Dale McClure, president of the society, in a statement.

"We too have contacted Ms. Suleman and the physician named in the interview in order to learn more about the circumstances leading to her octuplet pregnancy. Only when we obtain and evaluate such information will we be able to determine an appropriate course of action," McClure added.

According to federal records reviewed by The Times, of the 61 procedures Kamrava conducted in 2006 -- the most recent data available -- only five resulted in pregnancies and only two of those resulted in births. One of those births was Suleman's twins.

--Shelby Grad

Photo: Dr. Michael Kamrava, the director of the West Coast IVF Clinic, is questioned by reporters. Suleman named West Coast IVF Clinic as the place responsible for her pregnancies. Credit: Nick Ut / AP Photo

Comments

[Robert Laughing]

When you look at the sick joke of 'Professionals' monitoring Licensed Professionals,' one would THINK, the public would DEMAND real oversight, by someone other than another professional, money-hungry, AMORAL OPPORTUNIST.

[zhyachts]

The fertility doctor that facilitated this tragedy is, in effect, the "father". He should be responsible for their support - not California's tax payers.!

[Jim in Pasadena]

The mom obviously has mental issues, the Beverly Hills doc, who knows? How much more irresponsible, greedy and dangerous could this idiot be? He reportedly implanted 6 embryos, 3 times as many as recommended in a woman he knew could carry since he implanted the first six, endangering the life of his patient and the fetuses. Some experts say a few or more of these kids will have lifelong health problems and disabilities related to extremely permature birth. She had to fill out all those standard forms, so he must have known she was single, her income consisted of disability and welfare, and that she lived with her parents in a 3 bedroom house.
These procedures are elective, so he had no legal obligation to accede to her wishes just because she could pay his fees, But he went ahead anyway, why? This idiot should have his license pulled for malpractice, be billed and sued by the HMO for expenses, and vilified by the public.

[Dude]

Hey, the customer gets what they want. Medicine is a business like any other business. She came for a service it was render. He was not like murderin a human being. He helping to create life. So shut the freak up. I'm tired of people in this country. They want the best care but bitch about it if it cost too much. I hope our country health system goes bankrupt. And you know what, my friends are doctors and they're doing just that. Lets bankrupt this damn pathetic system that is full of drug abusers and losers. And blame it on the liberals. lol.

[Jimbo]

Dude,

You're smoking something. Just because it's "life" doesn't give someone carte blanche to behave irresponsibly and callously. How can one person possibly take care of 14 children under the age of seven? Not even California daycare centers allow more than a 4:1 ratio for safety reasons. Heaven help these kids having their emotional needs met. Forget about the financial aspect, the doctor should have considered the physical and emotional welfare of the babies. That, ethically, was part of the services he "rendered", dude.

[Cindy]

Omigosh! 14 babies/children being raised in a 3 bedroom house (that already has 3 adults)! Those poor children! What is that woman thinking? It is fair enough if a single woman wants to have children, but everyone who is able to buy a specified amount (of children) should only have as many children as they can afford, and this woman apparently can't afford very many. What a strange situation! I feel bad for the children caught in the middle.

[Quency]

Human should not have litters of offspring, animals do. The mother wants to have children and went ahead did the procedure. Now the 14 lifes are created by modern science. Her wish is fullfilled. What's next? What about those children that are the products of her selfishness. Even Angelina Joey and Brad Pitt, the rich and famous find it difficult at times to attend to their half a dozen children. How can a single, non-working mother care and attend to the 14 children under 10 years old do it. Anyone ever cared for premature infants would know their needs are special and are twice or three times more chronic and complicated. This so call "doctor" who helps to create these life is inconsiderate and as narrow-minded as this single mother. If the world has more fertility doctors and women like this pair, our society will be in big trouble very soon even without the recession. The reason why this profession called "doctor" is so highly respected is because they are suppose to be more intelligent and possess broader vision than their patients. It is ashame for the medical society to have physician's carryout such practice.

[Stanley Sokolow]

I fully agree that the doctor knew what he was doing and should be held liable to the people of the State of California for the costs he has thrust upon the public. Those who say that the government has no business interfering are off base -- when the government is asked to foot the bills for the medical expenses, food, education, and other care of 14 children from one single mom, the People (that is, the government representing the general public) have a right to seek restitution for the wrongful bringing of so many children into existence by artificial means. I say make the doctor disgorge the fees he collected from Ms. Suleman and reimburse the State for the rest of the costs.

[MaggieTwo]

I feel compelled to respond to the outright selfishness of this mother and her greedy doctor. We are barely one generation away from the days of forced sterilization and this woman comes out of the woodworks to parade her gaul around as though it should be applauded. The last thing the women's movement needs is to have years of progressive reproductive dialogue set back because of this bozo.

She cannot afford the six she already had, but introduces eight more as though it were a measure of her love for them. To love a child involves recognizing their needs and knowing what is best for them. What is best for those little babies is not being placed into that home. I just can't decide which is worse-- her disregard for their quality of life or her clear intent on making millions off of them via interviews and that 1998-looking website.

[CalvinB]

Let's get real. Octomom has not shown herself to be honest or trustworthy. False and misleading statements, hiding information, excess cash for spending on luxury items (plastic surgery, fake nails, hotel room). Multiple aliases and heavy use of welfare and disability for herself (disability from a government hospital job) and for kids (for ADHD?) She is clearly not one to shy from any scam. This guy, the doctor, probably did not implant a single embryo into Suleman. The eight kids are most likely the result of using too much fertility drugs on a 'patient' who is relatively young and fertile. Most likely he paid her to be an advertisement for his otherwise very unsuccessful fertility clinic. And got on television in 2006 doing just that. Come on, you guys are reporters, not transcribers. The real question is who is the father. Dr. Kamrava? Grandfather Ed (Adnan?) Daoud (David?) Suleman (Soloman?)(yuck) Or someone else? The taxpayer needs to know so he can contribute to the cost of these kids.