Woman files lawsuit claiming fertility clinic ‘bootcamp’ caused her stroke

A London executive is suing a fertility clinic, alleging its IVF treatment led to her suffering a stroke.

Navkiran Dhillon-Byrne, 51, began private IVF treatment at the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre (ARGC) in Wimpole Street, London, in April 2018.

Ten days after her treatment ended, on 28 April 2018, she suffered a stroke, which her lawyers say has left her with ongoing vision problems.

Ms Dhillon-Byrne is now suing the clinic and its head, Mohamed Taranissi, for negligence and breach of duty, saying medics failed to give her sufficient warnings about stroke risks linked to IVIg immunotherapy (intravenous immunoglobulin) – a one-off add-on treatment designed to moderate the body’s immune responses during pregnancy.

The clinic and Dr Taranissi deny liability, saying Ms Dhillon-Byrne was fully informed of the risks.

They also dispute that IVIg caused her stroke.

Central London County Court heard that Ms Dhillon-Byrne, chief marketing officer at the City of London base of an international software company, turned to private treatment after the NHS was unable to fund her IVF in 2014.

She had an unsuccessful attempt at another London clinic before choosing ARGC. She told the court she had been trying to have a child since 2014.

She said she selected ARGC after a friend recommended it, praising what they described as high success rates.

The clinic’s website describes its approach as “IVF boot camp” and promotes “in-depth investigations, daily monitoring and real-time treatment adjustments.”

Ms Dhillon-Byrne says she was not warned of the “specific” risks of thrombosis – blood clotting that can lead to stroke – in relation to the IVIg therapy.

She also says the clinic overstated her chances of success and failed to secure her “informed consent” before treatment began.

She argues that, had she been given a clear picture of her chance of a successful pregnancy, she would not have consented to IVF and the supplemental IVIg therapy.

Denying Ms Dhillon-Byrne’s claims, the clinic’s KC, Clodagh Bradley, told the court that the success rate advice given was “accurate and in accordance with the ARGC data.”

She added that Ms Dhillon-Byrne had been informed that the immune treatment was new and “still controversial.”

Lawyers said outside court that, if successful, Ms Dhillon-Byrne’s claim is likely to be worth “millions” due to the impact of the stroke on her high-flying career.

The trial continues.