Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes after assisted reproduction: a comparative study

Background Increasing use of fertility therapy has elicited concerns regarding adverse effects for expectant mothers and the health of children thus conceived. Aims To study the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, birth defects and pregnancy complications following assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods Questionnaire-based study involving 1,524 children and 1,182 pregnancies conceived following in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in two units. Outcomes were compared with the general population. Results In the study group versus the general population; multi-foetal gestations, 26 versus 2%; singleton preterm delivery and low birth weight, 8.7 and 6.4 versus 4.3 and 4%, respectively; non-lethal congenital malformation rate, 2.6 versus 2.1%; placenta praevia, 2.8 versus 0.5%. Conclusions Multi-foetal gestations remain the principal cause of adverse perinatal outcomes after ART. Singleton ART pregnancies have an increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight at term. Non-lethal congenital malformation rates are not increased following ART. Placenta praevia is increased following ART.