Reproductive, Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in Women with Congenital Uterine Anomalies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Journal of clinical medicine Vol. 10; no. 21; p. 4797
• Main Authors: Kim, Min-A, Kim, Hyo Sun, Kim, Young-Han
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 20.10.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Birth weight; Cesarean section; Classification; Clinical medicine; Gestational age; Infertility; Meta-analysis; Miscarriage; Obstetrics; Patients; Pregnancy complications; Premature birth; Reproductive technologies; Systematic review; Uterus
• ISSN: 2077-0383; 2077-0383
• DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214797

Congenital uterine anomalies (CUA) may influence reproductive performance, resulting in adverse pregnancy associated complications. This study aimed to assess the association of CUA subtypes with reproductive, obstetric, and perinatal outcomes. We performed a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries for studies comparing pregnancy outcomes between women with CUA and those with a normal uterus. The random effects model was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Women with CUA had a lower rate of live births (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.33–0.69), and a higher rate of first trimester miscarriage (OR, 1.79; 95% CI 1.34–2.4), second trimester miscarriage (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.35–6.32), preterm birth (OR 2.98; 95% CI 2.43–3.65), malpresentation (OR 9.1; 95% CI 5.88–14.08), cesarean section (OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.56–5.26), and placental abruption (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.58–6.18). Women with canalization defects appear to have the poorest reproductive performance during early pregnancy. However, unification defects were associated with obstetric and neonatal outcomes throughout the course of pregnancy. It may be beneficial for clinicians to advise on potential complications that may be increased depending on the type and severity of CUA.