Pregnancy complications and short-term follow-up of infants born after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET)

Abstract

Two hundred and six pregnancies occurring after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) during a 7-year period in Göteborg were analysed with respect to pregnancy outcome. The clinical abortion rate was 26%, the rate of ectopic pregnancy was 10%, the rate of ongoing pregnancies beyond 24 weeks was 15%, and the rate of deliveries was 49% (n = 100). The hospital records of 98 women with the 100 deliveries resulting in 131 infants were studied. Multiple pregnancy occurred in 27%, including one quadruplet and two triplet pregnancies. Preterm birth occurred in 30% of all pregnancies and in 20% of singleton pregnancies. Thirty-four percent of the infants had a birth weight of less than 2500 g. The perinatal mortality was 46/1000, as estimated from the 24th week of pregnancy. The incidence of major malformation, 2.3%, was similar to that reported from studies in the general population. The first 100 infants born were followed up for 18 months to 8 years. Long-term sequelae were associated with immaturity and low birth weight. No problems during follow-up were disclosed in children who had had an uneventful neonatal period. It is concluded that IVF pregnancies are an obstetric risk group requiring special attention.