Poor Response to Gonadotropin Stimulation and Perinatal Outcomes in Fresh In Vitro Fertilization Embryo Transfer...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
• Perinatal Medicine
• Clinical Obstetrics

Background:

• Poor ovarian response (POR) is a clinical challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF), defined by diminished ovarian reserve and reduced response to gonadotropin stimulation.
• The impact of POR on perinatal outcomes in young women undergoing IVF remains a subject of investigation, with potential implications for maternal and neonatal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between poor ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation during IVF and adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies among young women.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of women aged 17-39 undergoing fresh embryo transfer and delivering a singleton neonate.
• Patients classified into poor (≤3 oocytes), normal (4-15 oocytes), and high (≥16 oocytes) responders based on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) dosage and oocyte yield.
• Primary outcome: composite of pre-eclampsia, small-for-gestational-age, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preterm birth. Multivariable logistic regression used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Poor responders (8.68%) were older and received higher total FSH doses compared to normal and high responders.
• Perinatal outcomes, including cesarean delivery rate and the composite adverse outcome, were comparable across all response groups.
• Multivariable analysis confirmed no significant association between poor ovarian response and adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions:

• Poor ovarian response in young women undergoing IVF is not associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes.
• Clinical management and counseling for patients with poor ovarian response should consider these findings regarding perinatal safety.