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Perinatal outcome of preterm infants <1500 g after IVF pregnancies compared with natural conception

A Messerschmidt1, M Olischar, R Birnbacher

  • 1Division of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. agnes.messerschmidt@meduniwien.ac.at

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|May 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) pregnancies did not show adverse perinatal outcomes in very low birth weight infants compared to naturally conceived pregnancies. This study found no significant differences in mortality or morbidity for preterm infants born after IVF.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal medicine
  • Reproductive medicine
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, particularly for very low birth weight infants.
  • Understanding the specific outcomes for preterm infants born after IVF is crucial for clinical management and parental counseling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the perinatal outcomes of preterm infants weighing less than 1500 grams born after IVF with those from naturally conceived pregnancies.
  • To investigate potential differences in mortality, pulmonary morbidity, and cerebral morbidity between these groups.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study included preterm infants (<1500 g) born between 1999 and 2007 at a tertiary perinatal referral center.
  • Infants were analyzed separately for singletons and multiples, and by birth weight (<1000 g and 1000-1499 g).
  • Primary outcomes included infant mortality, short-term pulmonary morbidity, and cerebral morbidity, with secondary outcomes assessing factors like small for gestational age and blood gas analysis.

Main Results:

  • The study included 1423 infants (195 IVF, 1228 non-IVF).
  • While the incidence of preterm labor was higher in multiples conceived via IVF, overall mortality, pulmonary morbidity, and cerebral morbidity did not differ significantly between IVF and naturally conceived groups.
  • A significantly higher initial pH value was observed in multiples conceived via IVF within the 1000-1499 g group.

Conclusions:

  • In vitro fertilisation treatment was not associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in very low birth weight infants.
  • These findings suggest that IVF does not increase the risk of adverse outcomes for preterm infants, even those with very low birth weight.
  • Further research may explore specific subgroups or interventions to optimize outcomes for IVF-conceived preterm infants.
Abstract

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