Outcome and complications of assisted reproduction

This review discusses studies documenting an increase in birth rate associated with in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer. The results of zygote intrafallopian transfer are also encouraging. The rates of chromosomal and congenital abnormalities in assisted reproduction are similar to the rates at which these problems occur in normal pregnancies. Multiple pregnancy is the main determinant of outcome. Singleton pregnancies have higher rates of pregnancy complications. Factors affecting outcome of assisted reproduction include age of the mother, level of basal follicle-stimulating hormone, the number of embryos or gametes transferred, response to ovarian stimulation, and the quality of gametes and eventually of the embryo. Complications of these procedures relate to the technique used. Recent reports have highlighted the effects of multiple gestation in terms of perinatal morbidity, the effect on the family, and the demand for neonatal resources, as well as ethical issues surrounding selective reduction. The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist has led to an increase in the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation. Other reports document the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer.