Contributions of infertility treatment to very-low-birth-weight multiple birth infants receiving neonatal intensive care.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine proportions of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) multiple birth infants receiving neonatal intensive care whose mothers received various types of infertility treatment and to evaluate infertility treatment-associated morbidity and mortality.


METHODS
Study infants were multiples with birth weight 401 to 1500 g cared for in Cincinnati neonatal intensive care units from January 1996 to December 2000. Data were obtained retrospectively from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network registry. Use of infertility treatment (in vitro fertilization, injection or oral ovulation, and intrauterine insemination) was determined by maternal interview or chart review. The generalized estimating equation approach to logistic regression was used.


RESULTS
The study included 382 infants of 212 mothers: 201=spontaneous conception (53%), 93=in vitro fertilization (24%), 55=injection (14%), 15=oral (4%), and 18=intrauterine insemination (5%). Neither gestational age nor birth weight differed between groups. More female (58%, P=.003) and white infants (95%, P<.001) resulted from infertility treatment-induced pregnancies than from spontaneous pregnancies. Advancing gestational age significantly decreased odds for all outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Of VLBW multiples receiving neonatal intensive care, 47% are associated with infertility treatment. Infertility treatment does not influence outcomes in VLBW multiples.
Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Laura Nickles
LN
Hashimoto
Christopher J
CJ
Lindsell
David E
DE
Brewer
Margaret M
MM
Eichel
Edward F
EF
Donovan
D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted