Body mass index is negatively associated with a good perinatal outcome after in vitro fertilization among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a national study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and good perinatal outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Retrospective cohort study using 2012-2015 Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcomes Reporting System data.

Setting: Fertility clinics.

Patients: To identify patients most likely to have PCOS, we included women with a diagnosis of ovulation disorder and serum antimüllerian hormone >4.45 ng/mL. Exclusion criteria included age ≥ 41 years, secondary diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, preimplantation genetic testing, and missing BMI or primary outcome data.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measures: Good perinatal outcome, defined as a singleton live birth at ≥ 37 weeks with birth weight ≥ 2,500 g and ≤ 4,000 g.

Results: The analysis included 9,521 fresh, autologous IVF cycles from 8,351 women. Among women with PCOS, the proportion of cycles with a good perinatal outcome was inversely associated with BMI: underweight 25.1%, normal weight 22.7%, overweight 18.9%, class I 18.4%, class II 14.9%, and class III or super obesity 12.2%. After adjusting for confounders, women in the highest BMI category had 51% reduced odds of a good perinatal outcome compared with normal weight women (adjusted odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.36-0.67).

Conclusions: Among women with PCOS undergoing fresh, autologous IVF, the odds of a good perinatal outcome decline with increasing BMI. Women with PCOS should be counseled that the odds of achieving a good perinatal outcome decrease as their weight increases.

Keywords: IVF outcomes; PCOS; obesity; perinatal outcomes.