Reproductive outcomes after in-vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reviews the effect of in-vitro fertilization on maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy.


RESULTS
Few randomized, controlled trials have been published in this area due to inherent difficulties in studying this population of infertile women who require in-vitro fertilization. Systematic review of the literature identified published studies that consistently highlighted the higher incidence of maternal and perinatal morbidity associated with pregnancies following in-vitro fertilization.


CONCLUSIONS
Some prospective observational studies compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in in-vitro fertilization pregnancies. Larger studies show that adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, placental abruption, placenta praevia, and preterm delivery increase significantly with in-vitro fertilization. Perinatal adverse outcomes such as prematurity and those related to plurality of the pregnancy also increase. All patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization should have careful counselling regarding these increased risks prior to treatment.
Mukhopadhaya
Neelanjana
N
St. Georges Hospital, University of London, London, United Kingdom. n.m@doctors.org.uk
Arulkumaran
Sabaratnam
S
D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth; D018570:Risk Assessment