Obstetric and neonatal outcome after single embryo transfer

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Obstetrics
• Neonatal Health

Background:

• Single embryo transfer (SET) may reduce vanishing twin incidence and improve neonatal outcomes.
• Comparison of SET singletons with double embryo transfer (DET) and spontaneous conception singletons is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes of SET singletons with those from DET and spontaneous conceptions.

Main Methods:

• A 7-year cohort study (1997-2003) at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
• Compared fresh SET (n=269) and DET (n=230) cycles with 15,037 spontaneously conceived singleton pregnancies.
• Utilized Finnish Medical Birth Register for obstetric and neonatal outcome data.

Main Results:

• SET and DET singleton outcomes were comparable.
• SET pregnancies showed higher rates of gestational hypertension, placenta praevia, preterm contractions, and maternal hospitalization compared to spontaneous conceptions.
• Adjusted analysis revealed SET singletons had increased risks of Cesarean section, preterm birth, and low birthweight versus spontaneous conceptions.

Conclusions:

• Singleton in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy outcomes are influenced by factors beyond the number of embryos transferred.
• Subject- and infertility-related mechanisms play a role in neonatal outcomes of singleton IVF pregnancies.