Octomom Fertility Doc's License Hearing to Begin

The Washington Post, Oct 18, 2010

The doctor who helped Nadya Suleman conceive her octuplets and six other children through in vitro fertilization faces allegations of negligence at a licensing hearing.

Dr. Michael Kamrava could have his license to practice medicine revoked or suspended as a result of Monday's Medical Board of California hearing.

The Beverly Hills physician is accused of several instances of negligence, including implanting too many embryos in Suleman, whose moniker "Octomom" is a reference to the octuplets he helped her conceive.

Her babies born 9 weeks premature in Jan. 2009 have since become the world's longest-surviving set of octuplets.

Fertility specialists have criticized Kamrava's methods, saying he endangered Suleman's health, and the lives and long-term health of the babies.

Though other doctors in the field say they're not impressed with it, Kamrava has long touted a method of in vitro fertilization, which implants an embryo -or sometimes sperm with an unfertilized egg - directly into the uterine lining.

Last year, Kamrava was kicked out of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a blow to his prestige but the non-profit group does not have legal authority to prevent him from practicing medicine.

In addition to fertility medicine claims, Kamrava is accused of failing to refer Suleman for a mental health evaluation before giving her fertility treatments.

Records obtained by The Associated Press show that prior to 2001, Suleman was treated with Celexa and Sonata for depression and sleeplessness, and Clonopin for anxiety.