title: Congenital anomalies and other perinatal outcomes in ICSI vs. naturally conceived pregnancies: a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures have become accepted worldwide and their effect on society is well-known. However, the full extent of the possible complications of these procedures on maternal and neonatal outcome is still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective case controlled study from January 2003 to December 2007 which compared 253 women that had conceived using assisted reproduction (ICSI) and delivered 327 children at our center (study group) with a matched group of 349 women who naturally conceived and delivered 354 children at Abha General Hospital (control group) during the same period. The obstetrical and neonatal characteristics of the women and their children were assessed to determine any significant differences between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of gestations per pregnancy (1.34 +/- 0.57 vs. 1.01 +/- 0.12) and number of children born per woman (1.28 +/- 0.49 vs. 1.01 +/- 0.12) was significantly higher in the ICSI group (p < 0.001). In addition, the gestational age at delivery (37.23 +/- 2.68 vs. 38.56 +/- 1.89) was significantly shorter in the ICSI group (p < 0.001) and this led to an increased number of obstetrical interventions, as well as the incidence of cesarean deliveries. Examination of the new-born children revealed similar incidence of congenital anomalies in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICSI conceived pregnancies were characterized by an increased number of gestations and live-born, and there was no increase in congenital malformations compared to naturally conceived pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Depatment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Suliman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Fifi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Binali
authors.forename: Mesfer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Shahrani
authors.forename: Hajra
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shafiq
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almushait
authors.forename: Lukanle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sobandi
authors.forename: Mamdoh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eskandar
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000009:adverse effects*
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