Related Experiment Videos
Abortion rate in assisted reproduction--true increase?
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Early Pregnancy : Biology and Medicine : the Official Journal of the Society for the Investigation of Early Pregnancy
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Assisted reproduction pregnancies show higher loss rates, including spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancies, compared to natural conception. Underlying infertility factors may contribute to these outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Background:
- Assisted reproduction pregnancies are often presumed to have higher risks of adverse outcomes.
- Previous studies suggested increased rates of spontaneous abortion, ectopic, and heterotopic pregnancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pregnancy loss rates between spontaneous and assisted reproduction pregnancies.
- To evaluate the validity of the hypothesis that assisted reproduction increases pregnancy risks.
Main Methods:
- A literature review of published reports on pregnancy outcomes over the last decade.
- Analysis of 53,928 in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies reported between 1985-1991.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous pregnancies had a 19% loss rate (abortions and ectopic pregnancies).
- Assisted reproduction pregnancies exhibited a 30% loss rate.
- Higher rates of infertility-related conditions (e.g., tubal disease, endometriosis) in infertile patients may explain differences.
Conclusions:
- Assisted reproduction pregnancies are associated with significantly higher pregnancy loss rates.
- Factors related to infertility, not solely the reproductive technology, likely contribute to increased risks.
- Maternal age is a significant factor in fetal chromosomal anomalies and abortion rates.