Growth Hormone Administration to Improve Reproductive Outcomes in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF): a...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
• Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Background:

• Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) presents a significant challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF), impacting treatment importance.
• Growth hormone (GH) is being investigated as a potential co-intervention to improve IVF success rates in RIF patients.

Approach:

• An updated systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing GH intervention versus no intervention in RIF patients.
• Searches were conducted across multiple electronic databases up to August 2021.
• Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed using Cochrane Collaboration and GRADE guidelines.

Key Points:

• Meta-analysis indicated higher clinical pregnancy (OR: 4.97), live birth (OR: 5.13), and implantation rates (OR: 3.88) with GH compared to no intervention.
• GH intervention was associated with increased endometrial thickness (MD: 1.14).
• Evidence quality for all outcomes was rated as 'very low' due to methodological issues, heterogeneity, and limited sample sizes.

Conclusions:

• While preliminary findings suggest potential benefits of GH in RIF, the very low quality of evidence precludes strong recommendations.
• High-quality research and consensus on RIF concepts are crucial for advancing treatment strategies.
• Despite being a minority, RIF significantly impacts patients' quality of life, underscoring the need for effective interventions.