Obstetric outcome in singleton pregnancies after assisted reproduction

Abstract

Objective: To compare the obstetric outcome of singleton pregnancies after various procedures of assisted reproduction with a control group.

Methods: Maternal and perinatal outcome in 355 assisted-reproduction singleton pregnancies (study group) with a duration of 140 days or more were compared retrospectively with a control group matched for age and parity. All assisted-reproduction pregnancies resulted from treatment in one university hospital, and all control subjects delivered in the obstetric department of the same hospital. The controls consisted of 643 women, also with singleton pregnancies, who were matched for age and parity.

Results: In the study group, the frequencies of pregnancy-induced hypertension and placenta previa were increased. More patients in the study group were delivered by elective cesarean. Pregnancies after assisted reproduction were of shorter duration, with an increased incidence of preterm birth. Infants in the study group had a lower mean birth weight than did those in the control group and were more frequently referred to a neonatal care unit.

Conclusion: Singleton pregnancies resulting from assisted reproduction represent obstetric risk cases, and the patients should be offered special attention during the pregnancy, which will probably be their only one.