Differences in in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome between white and black women in an inner-city, university-based IVF program.
OBJECTIVE
To compare IVF outcomes between white and black women in an inner-city, university-based IVF program.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University-based IVF program.


METHODS
Ninety-five white women undergoing 121 cycles and 37 black women undergoing 47 cycles.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Implantation rate and pregnancy rate (PR).


RESULTS
Black women constituted 28. 0% of the population and underwent 28.0% of the total cycles. There were no statistically significant differences in age, basal FSH, number of ampules, duration of stimulation, endometrial thickness, P on the day of hCG, cancellation rate, number of oocytes, or embryos transferred. However, the duration of infertility, body mass index (BMI), incidence of tubal-factor infertility, and peak E(2) levels were significantly higher in black women. In addition, a larger proportion of black women required aggressive stimulation than white women (70.2% and 43.0%). Both implantation rates and clinical PRs were significantly lower in black women than in white women (9.8% and 19.2% compared with 23.4% and 42.2%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Black women have poorer IVF outcomes than white women. These differences can be partly explained by higher BMI, longer duration of infertility, higher incidence of tubal-factor infertility, and higher peak E(2).
Sharara
F I
FI
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. fsharara@ummc001.ummc.umaryland.edu
McClamrock
H D
HD
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D015992:Body Mass Index; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D044465:White People
D004958:Estradiol