Increased risk of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer or gamete intrafallopian transfer: A meta-analysis

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 82; no. 6; pp. 1514 - 1520
• Main Authors: McGovern, Peter G., Llorens, Amaury J., Skurnick, Joan H., Weiss, Gerson, Goldsmith, Laura T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: assisted reproductive technology; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Confidence Intervals; Embryo Transfer - adverse effects; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - adverse effects; Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer - adverse effects; Gonadotropin stimulation; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; in vitro fertilization; infertility treatment; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; pregnancy outcome; Premature Birth - etiology; preterm birth; Risk; Sterility. Assisted procreation; preterm birth; in vitro fertilization; assisted reproductive technology; pregnancy outcome; Gonadotropin stimulation; infertility treatment; Human; Prognosis; Pregnancy disorders; Premature delivery; Assisted procreation; Stimulation; Gonadotropin; Sterility; Singleton pregnancy; Metaanalysis; In vitro fertilization embryo transfer; Treatment; Prematurity; Fertility; Technology; Risk factor; Female; Gamete intrafallopian transfer
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.06.038

To perform a systematic review of the literature to determine whether singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF-ET/GIFT are at higher risk for preterm birth (<37 weeks). Literature search and systematic review. Medical school. A MEDLINE search (1965–2000) was performed using the terms “premature labor,” “infertility,” “pregnancy complications,” “gonadotropins,” “pregnancy outcome,” “preterm delivery,” and “in vitro fertilization.” Criteria for inclusion were English language, original research article, study patients conceived using IVF-ET (with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection) or GIFT, pregnancy outcome reported compared with a control group (e.g., naturally conceived singletons at their hospital or a national reference), and prematurity clearly defined. Incomplete articles (e.g., abstracts), reports of other studies, and studies that failed to separate multiple from singleton gestations were excluded. Summary of relative risks of preterm birth. Twenty-seven articles met all inclusion/exclusion criteria and were analyzed by meta-analysis. The random-effects summary relative risk of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF-ET/GIFT was 1.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.77–2.22). The risk of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF-ET/GIFT is twice that of natural conceived pregnancies.