Perinatal outcomes following assisted reproductive technology: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Nowadays, infertility affects approximately 8-12% of the population. Μultiple causative factors are leading to the failure of subfertile couples to achieve a normal pregnancy, as well as various types of assisted reproductive techniques that have developed globally in order to confront infertility. Over the past few years, especially after the birth of the world’s first baby to be conceived by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in 1978, numerous studies have been conducted concerning the risk of obstetric and perinatal complications. In this review, we aimed to detail the perinatal outcomes in relation to the ART procedures routinely applied. Consequently, the above-mentioned procedures have been associated with the presentation of hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes mellitus in women, multiple pregnancy, preterm birth and low birth weight. Furthermore, studies indicate that infants born from assisted reproductive technologies appear to suffer much more frequently not only by congenital or epigenetic abnormalities, but also by neurodevelopmental disorders and specific types of cancer. Indisputably, artificial fertilization methods still continue growing worldwide with new medical technologies’ evolvement. It becomes, therefore, evident that the possible long-term, adverse neonatal outcomes have not been completely clarified yet. Taking into consideration that the number of the couples that undergo fertility treatments is constantly rising, more research is of vital importance so that their potential impact of such exposure on maternal and neonatal health can be understood.