[Neonatal complications and birth defects in infants conceived by in vitro fertilization].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the survival quality of infants conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to identify the factors that cause birth defects and neonatal complications in IVF infants.


METHODS
The study included 150 IVF infants (IVF group) and 200 naturally conceived infants (control group). Indicators such as birth situation, gestational disease, birth defects, and neonatal complications were compared between groups. The influencing factors for birth defects and neonatal complications were analyzed by non-conditional logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the IVF group had increased incidences of twin pregnancy and low birth weight (P<0.01) but decreased average birth weight (P<0.05). In the IVF group, the mother's age was elder, with higher incidence of cesarean section, premature rupture of membranes, and pregnancy complications, as compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of birth defects between the two groups (P>0.05). The IVF group had higher incidence rates of low birth weight and neonatal scleroderma (P<0.05), with a longer hospital stay (P<0.01), as compared with the control group. The non-conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that IVF, prematurity, twin pregnancy, and pregnancy complications were risk factors for low birth weight (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There is no significant difference in the incidence of birth defects between IVF and naturally conceived infants. However, IVF infants have higher incidences of twin pregnancy and low birth weight, with a longer hospital stay, as compared with naturally conceived infants. Natural conceiving, avoiding prematurity, twin pregnancy, and pregnancy complications will reduce the incidence of low birth weight.
Department of Pediatrics, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, China. erklili@sina.com.
Xiao-Yan
XY
Xu
Jing-Hui
JH
Yang
Xin-Mei
XM
Ma
Ai-Lin
AL
Liu
Kai
K
Liu
Shan
S
He
Hong-Ying
HY
Mi
Li
L
Li
D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin / Q000706:statistics & numerical data