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Congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities and perinatal results in IVF/ICSI newborns resulting from very
R Mendoza1, S Perez, M J de Los Santos
1Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vizcaya, Spain.
Insights
Transferring very poor quality (VPQ) embryos in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles does not increase congenital malformations or perinatal problems. These findings suggest VPQ embryos should not be discarded solely to avoid birth defects.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Embryology
- Perinatology
Background:
- Embryo quality is a critical factor in assisted reproductive technologies.
- The clinical significance of transferring very poor quality (VPQ) embryos remains debated.
- Limited data exists on the outcomes associated with VPQ embryo transfers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between VPQ embryo transfer and the incidence of congenital malformations.
- To evaluate the relationship between VPQ embryo transfer and perinatal complications.
- To determine if VPQ embryos should be routinely discarded in IVF/ICSI cycles.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study design.
- Comparison of children conceived from VPQ embryo transfers (n=74) versus top quality (TQ) embryo transfers (n=1,507).
- Analysis of congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, and perinatal mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of birth defects was similar between VPQ (1.35%) and TQ (1.72%) embryo groups.
- Rates of chromosomal abnormalities and perinatal mortality were comparable between the groups.
- Statistical analysis confirmed no significant differences after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- Congenital malformations and perinatal complications are not more frequent after VPQ embryo transfer.
- Current data suggests VPQ embryos are viable options for transfer when no higher quality embryos are available.
- Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and inform clinical practice.
Aims:
To explore whether the transfer of very poor quality (VPQ) embryos is associated with an increase in congenital malformations or perinatal problems.
Methods:
In this retrospective case-control study, 74 children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) resulting exclusively from the transfer of VPQ embryos were compared with 1,507 children born after the transfer of top morphological quality (TQ) embryos over the same period of time in the same centers.
Results:
The prevalence of birth defects in children resulting from VPQ embryos was 1.35% (1/74), similar to the 1.72% (26/1,507) when only TQ embryos were transferred; the rate of chromosomal abnormalities detected was also similar (0.0 vs. 0.4%), as was perinatal mortality. After correcting for multiplicity (higher in the TQ group), the aforementioned parameters remained similar in the two groups.
Conclusion:
Congenital malformations and perinatal complications do not seem to be more common in children born after transfer of VPQ embryos in IVF/ICSI cycles. Given our preliminary data, which need to be confirmed in much larger studies, when only VPQ embryos are available for transfer in IVF/ICSI cycles, we do not believe that they should be discarded with the intention of avoiding birth defects or perinatal complications.
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