Obstetric and perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies resulting from the transfer of frozen thawed versus fresh embryos generated through in vitro fertilization treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of obstetric and perinatal complications in singleton pregnancies after the transfer of frozen thawed and fresh embryos generated through IVF.


METHODS
Systematic review.


METHODS
Observational studies, comparing obstetric and perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies subsequent to frozen thawed ET versus fresh embryo transfer, were included from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, DARE, and CINAHL (1984-2012).


METHODS
Women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


METHODS
Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the relevant studies using critical appraisal skills program scoring. Risk ratios and risk differences were calculated in Rev Man 5.1. Subgroup analysis was performed on matched cohort studies.


METHODS
Antepartum hemorrhage, very preterm birth, preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birth weight, very low birth weight, cesarean section, congenital anomalies, perinatal mortality, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit.


RESULTS
Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Singleton pregnancies after the transfer of frozen thawed embryos were associated with better perinatal outcomes compared with those after fresh IVF embryos. The relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of antepartum hemorrhage (RR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.55-0.81), preterm birth (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.78-0.90), small for gestational age (RR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.30-0.66), low birth weight (RR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.62-0.76), and perinatal mortality (RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.96) were lower in women who received frozen embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
Although fresh ET is the norm in IVF, results of this systematic review of observational studies suggest that pregnancies arising from the transfer of frozen thawed IVF embryos seem to have better obstetric and perinatal outcomes.
Reproductive Medicine, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. abha.maheshwari@abdn.ac.uk
Abha
A
Maheshwari
Shilpi
S
Pandey
Ashalatha
A
Shetty
Mark
M
Hamilton
Siladitya
S
Bhattacharya
D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome