Risk of cranial ultrasound abnormalities in very-low-birth-weight infants conceived with assisted reproductive techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate risks of cranial ultrasound abnormalities among very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants conceived with fertility therapy (ovulation induction only or with assisted reproductive techniques [ART]) and of multiple gestation pregnancies.


METHODS
The incidences of cranial ultrasound abnormalities in 1473 VLBW infants conceived with and without fertility therapy and born of multiple versus singleton pregnancies were compared, using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Infants conceived with ART were less likely to have intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Twins and triplets had risks of cranial ultrasound abnormalities similar to those of singletons. Twins and triplets conceived with ART were at lower risk of IVH.


CONCLUSIONS
VLBW infants conceived with ART do not appear to be at increased risk of cranial ultrasound abnormalities. Likewise, twins and triplets were not at increased risk of these abnormalities.
Stewart
Jane E
JE
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Allred
Elizabeth N
EN
Collins
Margaret
M
Abbott
Jodi
J
Leviton
Alan
A
Paneth
Nigel
N
Reuss
M Lynne
ML
Susser
Mervyn
M
Hegyi
Thomas
T
Hiatt
Mark
M
Sanocka
Ulana
U
Shahrivar
Farrokh
F
Van Marter
Linda J
LJ
Banogan
Petra
P
Genest
David
D
Heller
Debra
D
Shen-Schwarz
Susan
S
Dammann
Olaf
O
Kuban
Karl C K
KC
Pagano
Marcello
M
D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004453:Echoencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014310:Triplets; D014427:Twins