Dilemma of increased obstetric risk in pregnancies following IVF-ET

Purpose : To determine the rates of pregnancy complications following in vitro fertilization in comparison with those in a matched control group. Methods : A total of 13,543 deliveries at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Szeged, between January 1, 1995 and February 28, 2002 were subjected to retrospective analysis. The 230 (1.7%) pregnancies following IVF-ET were evaluated and matched with spontaneous pregnancies concerning age, parity, gravidity, and previous obstetric outcome. Demographic and selected maternal characteristics, pregnancy and labor complications, and neonatal outcome were compared in the two groups. Results : The pregnancy complication rate was partly significantly higher among the singleton IVF-ET pregnancies. The obstetric risk was elevated, though not significantly concerning twin pregnancies. Conclusions : IVF-ET presents an additional obstetric risk. The neonatal outcome displays a significant difference only concerning an increased premature birth rate of singleton pregnancies. Triplet IVF-ET pregnancies involve a much higher risk of both pregnancy complications and neonatal outcome.