Decreased fetal thymus size in pregnancies after assisted reproductive technologies

Abstract

Objective To compare the size of the fetal thymus, using both fetal thymic-thoracic ratio and fetal thymus transverse diameter values in Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) or naturally conceived pregnancies. Methods In this retrospective study, fetal thymic-thoracic ratio and fetal thymus transverse diameter were evaluated in 204 pregnant women. Patients were examined in two groups. The study included 58 Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) patients (study group) and 146 healthy pregnant women (control group). Results Fetal thymic-thoracic ratio in ART pregnancies were found to be statistically significantly lower than that of the control group (p = .001). Also, the fetal thymus transverse diameter value was found to be statistically significantly lower in ART pregnancies compared to that of the control group (p = .001). Conclusions The size of the fetal thymus, manifested with a decrease in both fetal thymic-thoracic ratio and thymus transverse diameter values, decreased in ART pregnancies.