Congenital absence of the uterus and vagina is not commonly transmitted as a dominant genetic trait: outcomes of surrogate pregnancies

Abstract

Objective: To determine the inheritance pattern of congenital absence of the uterus and vagina in affected women undergoing surrogacy IVF with this disorder.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: A hospital-based reproductive endocrinology and infertility center.

Patient(s): Women diagnosed with congenital absence of the uterus and vagina undergoing IVF with subsequent transfer of embryos to a surrogate uterus.

Intervention(s): Questionnaires were sent to all infertility treatment centers performing surrogate procedures.

Main outcome measure(s): Number, gender, and frequency of congenital anomalies in progeny.

Result(s): Thirty-two of 53 surveyed programs responded (60%). One hundred sixty-two IVF cycles were performed, and 34 liveborn children were delivered (half female). No congenital anomalies were found, except for one male child with a middle ear defect and hearing loss.

Conclusion(s): These results strongly suggest that congenital absence of the uterus and vagina, if genetically transmitted, is not inherited commonly in a dominant fashion.