[Birth characteristics due to in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Neonatal Outcomes
• Obstetrics

Context:

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) are advanced reproductive technologies.
• Comparing outcomes of IVF/ICSI pregnancies with natural fertilization (NF) is crucial for understanding associated risks and benefits.
• This study focuses on deliveries after 31 weeks gestation, analyzing singleton and twin pregnancies separately.

Purpose:

• To quantify deliveries resulting from IVF/ICSI after 31 weeks gestation.
• To compare pregnancy and neonatal characteristics between IVF/ICSI and NF groups.
• To analyze differences in maternal age, twinning rates, delivery mode, prematurity, low birth weight, and congenital malformations.

Summary:

• IVF/ICSI accounted for 1.61% of deliveries studied.
• IVF/ICSI pregnancies showed significantly higher rates of twin births (56.6% vs 2.4%) and were associated with older maternal age.
• While prematurity and low birth weight rates were comparable, IVF/ICSI singletons had higher rates of Cesarean sections, and overall IVF/ICSI newborns had a 4.83-fold increased risk of congenital malformations.

Impact:

• Highlights increased risks of multiple births and congenital defects with IVF/ICSI.
• Identifies higher Cesarean section rates in singleton IVF/ICSI deliveries.
• Provides data for informed counseling and management of patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.