Disparities in obstetrical outcomes in ART pregnancies compared with natural conceptions.
Health disparities are observed in all fields of medicine and reproductive health is not immune to this phenomenon. The incidence of women using infertility treatments to conceive is increasing. Women undergoing assisted reproduction appear to be at increased risk of adverse outcomes, and minority women tend to be at even greater risk. This article examines several adverse obstetrical outcomes including preterm birth, congenital malformations, and preeclampsia among women receiving infertility treatments compared with those who conceive spontaneously. It will further examine societal costs associated with these procedures.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, Ft Polk, LA 71459, USA. tcomeaux@gmail.com
Torie C
TC
Plowden
Christopher M
CM
Novak
Catherine Y
CY
Spong
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D017048:Health Care Costs; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States