Is the obstetric outcome of in vitro fertilized singleton gestations different from natural ones? A controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether singleton IVF pregnancies carry adverse maternal or fetal outcome when compared with naturally conceived gestations.


METHODS
An analysis of the obstetric outcome of singleton IVF pregnancies in comparison with matched, naturally conceived singleton controls.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization unit and obstetric service at a tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Two hundred sixty consecutive singleton IVF pregnancies and 260 naturally conceived singleton controls matched 1:1 for maternal age, parity, ethnic origin, and location and date of delivery.


METHODS
In vitro fertilization-ET.


METHODS
The rate of antenatal obstetric complications, nonvertex presentation, cesarean section, preterm labor, low birth weight, small and very small for gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and perinatal mortality.


RESULTS
The rates of most antenatal complications were similar in both groups. Urinary tract infection was the only complication diagnosed significantly more frequently after IVF (7.3% versus 1.2%); however, the rates of severe urinary tract infection necessitating hospitalization were similar. The incidence of nonvertex presentation was also similar. The cesarean section rate was significantly higher among IVF patients (41.9% versus 15.5%). The rates of preterm labor, low birth weight, small and very small for gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and perinatal mortality were comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
When controlling for maternal age, parity, ethnic origin, and location and date of delivery, singleton IVF pregnancies do not carry an increased risk for prematurity, low birth weight, or maternal or fetal complications. Still, these pregnancies are associated with a high rate of cesarean sections.
Reubinoff
B E
BE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ein-Karem, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Samueloff
A
A
Ben-Haim
M
M
Friedler
S
S
Schenker
J G
JG
Lewin
A
A
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000453:epidemiology; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology