妊娠前体质指数和胎次对妊娠糖尿病发病的影响

目的：探讨妊娠前体质指数(body mass index,BMI)、胎次与妊娠糖尿病(gestational diabetes mellitus,GDM)发病的关系,并探讨其对妊娠糖尿病(GDM)发病的影响。方法：本研究选择我院2014年2月至2014年12月接受孕产期检查、临床资料完整的且患有妊娠糖尿病的孕妇262名,对其采取葡萄糖耐量实验(OGTT实验),按照WTO标准,对262例足月妊娠初产妇女在孕24~28周常规进行75 g口服糖耐量试验,并完整记录年龄、孕周、文化程度、妊娠前体质指数及胎次等临床资料。根据妊娠前体质指数(BMI)将孕妇分为BMI分为4组,BMI<18.5 kg/m2者为偏瘦组,BMI 18.5~23.0 kg/m2者为正常体质量组,BMI 23.1~25.0 kg/m2者为超重组,BMI>25.0 kg/m2为肥胖组,采用SPSS l8.0统计软件对资料进行描述性分析、两样本t检验、非条件Logistic回归分析两组孕妇妊娠前体质指数(BMI)、胎次与妊娠糖尿病的关系。结果：4组OGTT结果显示妊娠前超重或肥胖的孕妇发生妊娠糖尿病的风险高于正常和偏瘦体质量组;非条件logistic回归分析结果表明,影响GDM的因素依次为：胎次、体质指数、年龄、文化程度,各影响因素回归系数分别为：2.372、     

Relative risk of conversion from normoglycaemia to impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in polycystic ovarian syndrome

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies have shown a high frequency of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, little is known about the change in glucose tolerance that occurs over a period of several years in women with PCOS. METHODS: Sixty-seven women with PCOS received a 75 g glucose tolerance test and measurement of lipids at baseline and at follow-up after an average time of 6.2 years. All women followed prospectively had normal glucose tolerance (n = 54) or IGT (n = 13) at the start of the study. RESULTS: Change in glycaemic control from baseline was frequent, with 5/54 (9%) of normoglycaemic women at baseline developing IGT and a further 4/54 (8%) moving directly from normoglycaemic to NIDDM. For women with IGT at baseline, 7/13 (54%) had NIDDM at follow-up. Body mass index (BMI) at baseline was an independent significant predictor of adverse change in glycaemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PCOS, particularly those with a high BMI, should be reviewed regularly with respect to IGT or NIDDM, as the frequency of impaired glycaemic control is high, and that the rate of conversion from normal glucose tolerance to IGT or NIDDM, or from IGT to NIDDM is substantial.     

血清C反应蛋白对妊娠糖尿病的预测价值

目的探讨妊娠妇女血清c反应蛋白（CRP）预测妊娠糖尿病（GDM）的价值。方法对484名早孕妇女进行前瞻性研究,用免疫散射比浊法检测早孕妇女血清CRP并追踪至孕中晚期,根据孕中晚期75g糖耐量结果分为GDM组、IGT组,选取年龄、孕周相同的作为正常对照组,对3组间孕早期、孕中晚期的CRP进行分析。结果GDM的发生率为4．5％、IGT的发生率为5．12％。孕早期3组间血清CRP水平差异无统计学意义;孕中晚期GDM组、IGT组血清CRP浓度明显高于正常对照组,差异有显著性;孕前BMI与CRP存在正相关性。当校正孕前BMI进行协方差分析后,GDM组、IGT组血清CRP与正常组血清CRP差异有统计学意义,GDM组、IGT组差异无显著意义。结论妊娠早期血清CRP水平不能预测GDM的发生,孕中晚期血清CRP水平高低对GDM有诊断价值。     

Third trimester iron status and pregnancy outcome in non-anaemic women; pregnancy unfavourably affected by maternal iron excess

A prospective observational study was performed on 488 women with haemoglobin >/=10 g/dl at booking to examine the relationship between serum ferritin concentration quartiles at 28-30 weeks gestation with maternal characteristics, pregnancy complications and infant outcome. While there was no difference in the maternal characteristics or gestational age, the infant size decreased significantly and progressively from the lowest to the highest quartile. Despite a significant difference in the incidence of multiparous women, there was no difference in the incidence of most complications except for prelabour rupture of the membranes and infant admission to the neonatal unit. Compared with the other three quartiles, the highest quartile was associated with increased risk for preterm delivery and neonatal asphyxia, while the lowest quartile was associated with decreased risk of pre-eclampsia, prelabour rupture of the membranes, and infant admission to the neonatal unit. Overall, ferritin quartiles were correlated with other parameters of iron status and red cell indices, and ferritin concentration was inversely correlated with infant birthweight. Our findings suggested that maternal ferritin concentration is primarily a reflection of maternal iron status, and a high level is associated with unfavourable outcome. The rationale of routine iron supplementation in non-anaemic women needs to be re-examined.     

妊娠期糖尿病与孕妇血清C-反应蛋白水平相关性研究

目的：探究妊娠期糖尿病与孕妇血清C-反应蛋白水平相关性。方法：选取2014年4月至2015年11月于我院接受孕检的孕妇190例,其中糖尿病孕妇97例,作为本研究实验组;另外93例健康状况良好,作为对照组。记录并比较两组孕妇年龄、平均孕周、孕前体重指数(BMI);检查并比较其血清C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平、胰岛素抵抗指数、空腹血糖水平、空腹胰岛素水平、孕期体重增长,并对CRP的相关影响因素进行Pearson相关分析以及多元线性回归分析。结果：对照组孕妇平均年龄为(29.13±2.18)岁,平均孕周为(25.36±3.23)周,孕前BMI为(20.27±1.72) kg/m2;实验组孕妇平均年龄为(28.24±1.97)岁,平均孕周(26.13±2.79)周,孕前BMI为(20.32±1.68) kg/m2,对比结果无统计学差异(P>0.05);对照组空腹血糖含量为(4.62±0.54) mmol/L,实验组为(5.21±0.81) mmol/L,对比结果无统计学意义(P>0.05);对照组空腹胰岛素水平为(8.93±1.76) mmol/L,实验组为(11.71±4.83) mmol/L,对比结果具有统计学意义(P<0.05);对照组孕妇血清CRP含量为(2.17±0.76) mg/L,胰岛素抵抗指数为1.76±0.69,孕期体重增长(13.47±2.01) kg,实验组为孕妇血清CRP含量为(4.12±0.73) mg/L,胰岛素抵抗指数为2.57±2.18,孕期体重增长(17.13±5.79) kg,对比结果具有统计学意义(P<0.05);Pearson分析显示血清CRP水平与胰岛素抵抗指数、孕期体重增长、孕前体重指数、空腹血糖呈正相关关系,其系数分别为0.369、0.319、0.289、0.268,均具有统计学意义(P<0.05),对CRP的多元线性回归分析,其方程为y(CRP)=0.319X1+0.09X2+0.239X3?3.879,r2=0.259(X1：胰岛素抵抗指数,X2：孕期体重增长,X3：孕前体重指数)。结论：对于妊娠期妇女,血清C-反应蛋白水平超标是引起糖尿病的重要因素之一,但独立影响尚不能被证实,建议临床上在孕期定期检查孕妇血清C-反应蛋白水平,有利于妊娠期糖尿病的有效防治。     

糖代谢异常孕妇血清脂联素、C反应蛋白水平与围产儿结局的关系

探讨妊娠期糖代谢异常孕妇血清脂联素（APN）和C反应蛋白（CRP）水平与围产儿结局的关系。测定178例妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）患者、154例妊娠期糖耐量受损（GIGT）孕妇血清APN和CRP水平,记录孕妇年龄、孕产次、分娩孕周及并发症等,跟踪比较分析两组围产儿结局的差异。结果显示,GDM组的APN为5.45±2.97mg/L、CRP为8.53±2.47 mg/L,与GIGT组APN（8.96±3.12 mg/L）、CRP（4.50±1.49 mg/L）相比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;GDM组巨大儿和新生儿低血糖的发生率明显高于GIGT组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组新生儿窒息、高胆红素血症发生率差异均无统计学意义。结论：随糖耐量异常进展,孕妇血清APN水平逐步下降,CRP水平逐步上升,这可导致不良围产儿出生率的增加,尤其是巨大儿和新生儿低血糖。本实验提示APN、CRP可能是调节胎儿宫内发育的候选因子。     

餐后血糖临界孕妇临床干预的探讨

目的对餐后血糖临界孕妇进行临床干预并探讨其母婴结局。方法在我院产科门诊产检的孕妇,于孕24-28周直接进行糖耐量试验(OGTT),排除GDM及IGT的病例,其余的孕妇中OGTT2h的血糖值在6.7-7.8mmol/L之间的孕妇,随机分为研究组与对照组,研究组(150例),进行糖尿病规范管理,进行相关宣教及饮食运动治疗;对照组(146例),不做特殊处理。每次产检复查餐后2h血糖,共复查3次,观察血糖变化。比较两组孕妇的母儿预后。结果研究组OGTT2h的血糖平均值7.20±0.32mmol/L,对照组7.16±0.36mmol/L,两组无显著性差异,三次复查餐后2h血糖,两组均无显著性差异。两组孕妇的顺产率、产钳率、剖宫产率比较,差异无统计学意义。两组新生儿平均出生体重无显著性差异。两组新生儿平均血糖、巨大儿比率及新生儿并发症的发生率均无显著性差异。结论餐后血糖临界孕妇经过临床干预后母婴结局无明显改变。     

Abnormal glucose tolerance in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to analyse the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Chinese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and to assess the ability of screening tests to predict these abnormalities within this population. METHODS: A total of 102 PCOS patients were evaluated. All patients underwent oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) with blood samples taken at 0, 1 and 2 h. The 2-h plasma glucose level was used to categorize subjects as having IGT or NIDDM. RESULTS: The prevalence of IGT was 20.5% and that of NIDDM was 1.9%. There was no significant relationship between BMI and 2-h plasma glucose levels. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for glucose to insulin ratio (G:I), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were 0.702, 0.734 and 0.733 respectively. ROC analysis suggested a threshold value of 10.7 in G:I ratio (73.9% sensitivity and 59.5% specificity), a value of 2.14 in HOMA (73.9% sensitivity and 73.4% specificity) and a value of 0.34 in QUICKI (73.9% sensitivity and 73.4% specificity) for the prediction of abnormal glucose tolerance (IGT and NIDDM). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese women with PCOS are at increased risk of IGT and NIDDM. Even though G:I, HOMA and QUICKI are easier than OGTT, they could not replace the role of 2-h post-challenge plasma glucose level in the screening of IGT and NIDDM in PCOS women.     

Relationship between preterm delivery and maternal height in teenage pregnancies

A retrospective study was performed in 613 singleton pregnancies born to mothers aged < or =19 years over a 4-year period to determine the relationship between maternal height and preterm delivery (<37 weeks). The pregnancies were grouped according to maternal height quartiles for comparison of maternal and infant characteristics, obstetric complications and pregnancy outcome. The incidences of preterm delivery and labour decreased from 17.5% and 15.6% respectively in the lowest quartile, to 8.5% and 7.1% respectively in the highest quartile, without any difference in the risk factors or major complications. In the pregnancies without major complications, which included 73.3% of the cases of preterm labour, the rate of preterm labour was significantly and inversely correlated with the height quartiles. In the newborns, gestational age, birthweight and crown-heel length increased with the higher quartiles, but the ratio between infant crown-heel length and maternal height (height ratio) decreased with the higher quartiles. Unlike birthweight and crown-heel length, the height ratio was not correlated with gestational age. Our findings suggested that the inherent risk of preterm delivery in teenagers was related to their immature physical development at the time of pregnancy, as reflected by the maternal height.     

Serum adiponectin and lipid concentrations in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the serum adiponectin and lipid concentrations in normal and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women during pregnancy in order to establish whether PCOS induces abnormal lipid and adiponectin levels that could constitute potential metabolic risk factors for pregnancy complications. METHODS: Women with singleton pregnancies and of similar age were included (48 pregnant PCOS and 51 normal pregnant women). During gestational weeks 10-16 and 22-28, a 2 h, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed, with measurement of glucose and insulin in each sample. Adiponectin and lipid concentrations were determined in the fasting sample. RESULTS: The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was significantly higher in the PCOS group (12.2%) compared with the control group (2%). In PCOS patients, triglyceride (TG) concentrations and area under the curve of glucose and insulin were higher in both study periods and adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in the second period, compared with normal women. Moreover, adiponectin concentrations were lower in women with GDM than in those with normal glucose tolerance in the two study periods. CONCLUSION: Low adiponectin and high insulin levels are associated with GDM in pregnant PCOS patients. High TG levels seem not to be directly related to pregnancy complications in these patients.     

Prepregnancy weight, inappropriate gestational weight gain, and smoking: Relationships to birth weight.

This study was designed to test predictors of infant birth weight based on categories of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and smoking. Data were collected retrospectively from records of 233 mother-infant pairs enrolled in the Siouxland Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program in Sioux City, Iowa. Prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain were coded according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. Smoking behavior was coded based on reported smoking during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Multiple regression analysis was used to test predictors of infant birth weight. Forty-two percent of women gained more weight than recommended, and 16% gained less than recommended. Based on prepregnancy BMI, women were classified as underweight (12%), overweight (16%), or obese (31%). Twenty-four percent of mothers reported smoking late in gestation. Higher birth weight was predicted by prepregnancy obesity (+144 g). Lower infant birth weight was predicted by lower (-162 g) and higher (-153 g) than recommended weight gain, and by lower (-299 g) and higher (-168 g) levels of smoking. Depression of birth weight among women who gained excess weight may relate to inadequate early weight gain or pregnancy complications. More research is needed regarding physiological consequences of these maternal factors and their associated demographic risk factors.     

Urinary incontinence and vaginal squeeze pressure two years post-cesarean delivery in primiparous women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated vaginal squeeze pressure in primiparous women with and without previous gestational diabetes mellitus two years post-cesarean delivery.

METHODS:

Primiparous women who delivered by cesarean two years previously were interviewed about the delivery and the occurrence of incontinence. Incontinence was reported by the women and vaginal pressure evaluated by a Perina perineometer. Sixty-three women with gestational diabetes and 98 women without the disease were screened for incontinence and vaginal pressure. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the independent effects of gestational diabetes.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of gestational incontinence was higher among women with gestational diabetes during their pregnancies (50.8% vs. 31.6%) and two years after a cesarean (44.8% vs. 18.4%). Decreased vaginal pressure was also significantly higher among women with gestational diabetes (53.9% vs. 37.8%). Maternal weight gain and newborn weight were risk factors for decreased vaginal pressure. Maternal age, gestational incontinence and decreased vaginal pressure were risk factors for incontinence two years after a cesarean. In a multivariate logistic model, gestational diabetes was an independent risk factor for gestational incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of incontinence and decreased vaginal pressure two years post-cesarean were elevated among women with gestational diabetes compared to women who were normoglycemic during pregnancy. We confirmed an association between gestational diabetes mellitus and a subsequent decrease of vaginal pressure two years post-cesarean. These results may warrant more comprehensive prospective and translational studies.     

广东地区12000例妊娠期糖尿病筛查结果

目的探讨广东地区50g葡萄糖负荷试验（GCT）筛查妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）的阈值、孕妇年龄对GDM发生的影响以及广东地区GDM的检出率。方法采用回顾性研究,对本院2005年1月至2007年12月全部孕妇实施50g葡萄糖负荷试验,异常者再行75g口服葡萄糖耐量（OGTT）实验,依据美国糖尿病资料小组（NDDG）的诊断标准诊断妊娠期糖尿病和糖耐量受损（IGT）。结果12000例孕妇GCT1h平均血糖水平为（7.37±1.75）mmol/L;以7.80mmol/L为切点,GCT血糖异常率为35.3%;IGT的检出率为6.9%,GDM的检出率为5.4%。GCT1h血糖≥11.1mmol/L者中,GDM的发生率为74.7%（195/261）,其中36.8%（96/261）根据空腹血糖水平可以作出诊断。24岁以下孕妇GDM的发生率为0.83%,显著低于年龄≥24岁的孕妇,GCT的异常率和IGT及GDM的发生率随年龄的增加呈上升趋势。196例GCT1h血糖〈7.8mmol/L存在高危因素的孕妇复行GCT和OGTT后,诊断为IGT和GDM的患者分别为23、17例,分别占总检出率的2.8%（23/824）和2.6%（17/648）。结论广东地区GCT筛查GDM以7.80mmol/L为切点是合理的,但1次GCT1h血糖正常的高危孕妇,复行GCT及OGTT是有必要的;GCT≥11.1mmol/L,仍有部分孕妇必须通过OGTT才能确诊;孕妇年龄与GDM发生密切相关,应加强高龄孕妇血糖的监测及GDM管理。     

妊娠期糖尿病的综合干预及药物治疗

妊娠期糖尿病为妊娠期首次发现或发生的糖代谢异常,其发病与胰岛β细胞分泌功能障碍及胰岛素抵抗密切相关,可对母婴健康构成极大危害。同时饮食不当、体重增加、缺乏运动等不良生活方式均为导致该疾病发病率上升的重要影响因素。因此,对于妊娠期糖尿病患者进行系统化干预及治疗将有助于控制疾病发展,进而使其生活质量得到明显提升。     

Pregnancy outcome in women with PCOS and in controls matched by age and weight

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcome, especially the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), in a group of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with a group of healthy weight-matched women. METHODS: Retrospectively, we evaluated the pregnancies of 66 women with PCOS, who had been treated for infertility and who delivered at our department. These were compared with a group of 66 age- and weight-matched controls. RESULTS: We did not find any significant differences in the prevalence of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and premature deliveries between the group of PCOS patients and the controls. CONCLUSION: When differences in age and weight between PCOS patients and controls are negligible, PCOS is not associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications.     

The risks associated with pregnancy in women aged 35 years or older

The obstetric risks of adverse outcome during pregnancy in women aged > or =35 years were quantified using a retrospective analysis of data from 385 120 singleton pregnancies in the North West Thames Region, UK, between 1988 and 1997. A comparison of pregnancy outcome was made on the basis of maternal age at delivery: 18-34 years (n = 336 462), 35-40 years (n = 41 327) and women aged > 40 years (n = 7331). Women aged <18 years (n = 5246) were excluded from the study. Data are presented as percentages of 18-34 year old women, 35-40 year old and > 40 year old women, with adjusted odds ratios (OR) according to age group. Pregnant women aged 35-40 years were at increased risk of: gestational diabetes, OR = 2.63 [99% confidence interval (CI) 2.40-2.89]; placenta praevia = 1.93 (1.58-2.35); breech presentation = 1.37 (1.28-1.47); operative vaginal delivery = 1.5 (1.43-1.57); elective Caesarean section = 1.77 (1.68-1.87); emergency Caesarean section = 1.59 (1.52-1.67); postpartum haemorrhage = 1.14 (1.09-1.19); delivery before 32 weeks gestation = 1.41 (1.24-1.61); birthweight below the 5th centile = 1.28 (1.20-1. 36); and stillbirth = 1.41 (1.17-1.70). Women aged >40 years had higher OR for the same risks. Pregnant women aged >/=35 years are at increased risk of complications in pregnancy compared with younger women.     

The level of bile salt-stimulated lipase in the milk of Chinese women and its association with maternal BMI

This study aimed to investigate the bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL) concentration in the milk of Chinese women and its correlation with maternal body mass index (BMI), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational hypertensive disorder (GHD). The BSSL levels in the milk samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BSSL level in colostrum milk of mothers with full-term infants was positively correlated with pregnancy week and negatively correlated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and BMI late in pregnancy. Moreover, the BSSL concentration in mature milk was positively correlated with BMI gain during pregnancy. The BSSL concentration in colostrum milk was lower in GDM mothers than in normal mothers. The BSSL helps infants digest fat in early life and its level was associated with lactation. The changes in BSSL characteristics with maternal BMI and GDM in this study may have clinical implications regarding the effects of pregnancy weight and metabolism on the nutrition and health of the offspring.     

妊娠期糖代谢异常患者胰岛素抵抗和胰岛β细胞功能的研究

目的探讨妊娠期糖代谢异常患者的胰岛素抵抗和胰岛β细胞功能的变化,以及对妊娠结局的影响。方法选取在我院就诊的171例孕妇检查资料,按照75g葡萄糖耐量试验（0GTT）结果分为妊娠期糖尿病组（GDM）,妊娠期糖耐量受损组（GIGT）,妊娠期空腹血糖受损组（GIFG）和正常对照组（NGT）。对各组的OGTT、胰岛素释放试验结果进行统计分析,计算出胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）,胰岛素分泌指数和胰岛素敏感指数,将结果进行比对分析。并对各组的妊娠结局进行分析。结果胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）GDM组〉GIFG组〉GIGT组〉对照组（P〈0.05）。胰岛素分泌指数：GDM组     

孕中期血浆脂联素水平与妊娠糖尿病相关性研究

目的探讨孕中期血浆脂联素水平与妊娠糖尿病(GDM)的相关性。方法选取305名孕妇于孕24～28周做75g口服葡萄糖耐量试验,其中218名葡萄糖耐量正常,35名确诊为GDM。空腹血样的检测指标包括血浆脂联素、血糖、胰岛素、游离脂肪酸(FFA)及血脂水平。OGTT1h、2h血样检测指标包括血糖、胰岛素水平。结果GDM孕妇孕中期血浆脂联素浓度明显低于糖耐量正常组(P=0.014);多元Logistic回归分析显示:在排除了血浆脂联素和FFA影响因素外,母亲孕前BMI和GDM仍保留着明显的相关性(P=0.017);肥胖妇女孕中期的脂联素水平明显低于非肥胖组;在正常糖耐量组,血浆脂联素水平与空腹胰岛素浓度、甘油三酯浓度、OGTT1h血糖水平、BMI(孕中期和分娩时)呈显著负相关,而与高密度脂蛋白和胆固醇浓度呈显著正相关;在GDM组,血浆脂联素水平与低密度脂蛋白浓度和新生儿出生体重显著负相关。结论孕中期低脂联素水平与GDM高风险相关。     

Obstetric outcome among women with unexplained infertility after IVF: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND: Infertility itself and also assisted reproductive treatment increase the incidence of some obstetric complications. Women with unexplained infertility are reported to be at an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction during pregnancy, but not for other perinatal complications. METHODS: A matched case-control study was performed on care during pregnancy and delivery, obstetric complications and infant perinatal outcomes of 107 women with unexplained infertility, with 118 clinical pregnancies after IVF or ICSI treatment. These resulted in 90 deliveries; of these, 69 were singleton, 20 twin and one triplet. Two control groups were chosen from the Finnish Medical Birth Register, one group for spontaneous pregnancies (including 445 women and 545 children), matched according to maternal age, parity, year of birth, mother's residence and number of children at birth, and the other group for all pregnancies after IVF, ICSI or frozen embryo transfer treatment (FET) during the study period (including 2377 women and 2853 children). RESULTS: Among singletons, no difference was found in the mean birthweight, and the incidence of low birthweight (<2500 g) was comparable with that of the control groups. No differences were found in gestational duration, major congenital malformations or perinatal mortality among the groups studied. Among singletons in the study group, there were more term breech presentations (10.1%) compared with both spontaneously conceiving women and all IVF women (P < 0.01). The rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly lower among singletons in the study group (P < 0.05) compared with other IVF singletons. The multiple pregnancy rate was 23.3% in the study group. The obstetric outcome of the IVF twins was similar to both control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The overall obstetric outcome among couples with unexplained infertility treated with IVF was good, with similar outcome compared with spontaneous pregnancies and IVF pregnancies generally.