Researchers will present findings showing perinatal outcomes of frozen/thawed embryo replacement (FER) have better outcomes compared to fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF), but worse outcomes compared to the non-IVF general population in a study to be presented on February 14 between 1:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. PST, at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting ™, in San Francisco, California.
The study collected data from all IVF treatments in Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 1984 - 2007, then cross-linked with the Nordic Medical Birth Registries. Babies born after FER (6,653) were compared to those born after fresh IVF (42,287) and the general population (288,868). Researchers looked for eight different outcomes: low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm birth, very preterm birth, small for gestational age, macrosomia (excessive birth weight), large for gestational age, and stillbirth.
"FER is used increasingly in IVF programs to avoid the risks associated with multiple births," said Ulla-Britt Wennerholm, of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteberg, Sweden. "We sought to analyze the outcomes compared to spontaneous conceptions and fresh IVF."
Researchers concluded outcomes for FER to be better compared to fresh IVF, but worse compared to the general population. However, they believe the higher rates of LGA and macrosomia compared to fresh IVF will require further attention.
Source: Eurekalert
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