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Comparative Study
. 2017;82(6):538-546.
doi: 10.1159/000468935. Epub 2017 May 13.

Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Compared to Natural Conception: Differences in Perinatal Outcome

Suzanne Spijkers  1 , Jan Willem Lens, Roel Schats, Cornelis B Lambalk
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Compared to Natural Conception: Differences in Perinatal Outcome

Suzanne Spijkers et al. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017.

Abstract

Background/aim: To compare the pregnancy outcome of singletons conceived after transfer of cryopreserved and thawed embryos (frozen embryo transfer [FET]) to singletons conceived after fresh embryo transfer (fresh ET) and natural conceived singletons.

Methods: Using a retrospective data analysis on a study population consisting of 1,261 singletons born after FET and 2,519 singletons born after fresh ET between 2006 and 2015. The control group consisted of singletons born after natural conception. Main outcome measures consisted of birth weight (in grams), gestational age, preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation), being large for gestational age (LGA, above 90th weight percentile adjusted for gestational age) and Apgar scores.

Results: Babies born after FET had an increased risk of high birth weight (adjusted OR [AOR]) 2.92; 1.503-3.482) and being LGA (AOR fresh ET vs. FET 1.47; 1.210-1.787) compared to singletons born after fresh ET, as well as higher birth weights compared to natural conceived children.

Conclusions: Singletons born after FET have a higher risk of high birth weight and being LGA compared to singletons after fresh ET and compared to natural conceived singletons. We assume that the freezing process might be the underlying cause.

Keywords: Assisted reproductive technology; Cryopreservation; Freeze-all; Frozen-thawed embryo transfer; In vitro fertilization; Perinatal outcomes.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of the study population.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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