Neonatal outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies

Abstract

small-for-gestational age (SGA), and low birth weight (LBW) rates are approximately twice as high in IVF pregnancies than in natural pregnancies. The IVF procedures have become more routine in recent years in Indonesia, but there have been few assessments of neonatal outcomes. The study aimed to evaluate the risk of preterm birth, SGA, and LBW in IVF infants. This was a retrospective cohort study performed in Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta from January 2012 to December 2016. Pre-coded questionnaires were used to collect data from medical records. The relative risk of preterm birth, SGA, and LBW among IVF infants were calculated and compared to naturally conceived infants. A total sampling method was used for the IVF infants and a simple random sampling method was used for naturally conceived infants, who were born on the same day as an infant in the IVF group. A total of 108 infants were recruited, consisting of 54 IVF infants and 54 naturally conceived infants. The IVF infants had increased risk of preterm birth (RR = 2.0; 95%CI 0.52 - 7.58) and LBW (RR = 1.25; 95%CI 0.53 - 2.92). However, the IVF infants did not have an increased risk of SGA (RR = 1.0; 95%CI 0.21 - 4.73). In conclusion, the risk of preterm birth and LBW in IVF infants are higher than in naturally conceived infants, but not statistically significant. However, there is no increased risk of SGA in IVF infants.