Obstetric and neonatal outcome after assisted fertilization and spontaneous conception: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The widespread use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) is accompanied by concerns for potential adverse outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of ART in obstetric and neonatal outcome.

METHODS: Data from labor ward records from 913 consecutive births were analyzed retrospectively, and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies after ART were compared with those after natural conception.

RESULTS: No major complications were noted after ART. A higher probability of cesarean section, lower gestational age at birth, lower birth weight and hospitalization in the Neontal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was noted after ART, as compared with spontaneous conception. However, after exclusion of multifetal pregnancies, there was no significant difference in outcomes, except for cesarean section rates.

CONCLUSIONS: The higher proportion of multiple pregnancies after ART is associated with lower gestational age at birth, lower birth weights and higher NICU hospitalization rates.