title: Obstetric and neonatal outcome after assisted fertilization and spontaneous conception: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The widespread use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) is accompanied by concerns for potential adverse outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of ART in obstetric and neonatal outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from labor ward records from 913 consecutive births were analyzed retrospectively, and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies after ART were compared with those after natural conception.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No major complications were noted after ART. A higher probability of cesarean section, lower gestational age at birth, lower birth weight and hospitalization in the Neontal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was noted after ART, as compared with spontaneous conception. However, after exclusion of multifetal pregnancies, there was no significant difference in outcomes, except for cesarean section rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The higher proportion of multiple pregnancies after ART is associated with lower gestational age at birth, lower birth weights and higher NICU hospitalization rates.
authors: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. padosgyn@hol.gr
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pados
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Zafrakas
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Tsolakidis
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Assimakopoulos
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bili
authors: B C
authors: BC
authors: Tarlatzis
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted