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Independent factors influencing large-for-gestation birth weight in singletons born after in vitro fertilization

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
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Abstract

Purpose

Higher risk for birth of singletons being large for gestational age (LGA) has been revealed after in vitro fertilization (IVF) frozen–thawed embryo-transfer (FET). This phenomenon is now being investigated, since there is a speculation that these neonates could suffer from underlying epigenetic disturbances. The aim of the study was to expose independent LGA risk factors and to identify those connected to the IVF techniques.

Methods

Altogether, 4508 singleton pregnancies and births were included in the cohort case-matched study. Two hundred eleven singleton pregnancies and births after FET and 916 after fresh embryo transfer (ET) were included into two study groups. The IVF procedures were performed at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana between 2004 and 2011. For each IVF pregnancy, three matched consecutive controls after natural conception were included. Using logistic regression models, we observed LGA connection to maternal parameters (smoking, hypertension, parity, BMI, gestational diabetes, IVF conception, FET, double ET, and ICSI procedure).

Results

Singletons born after FET had a significantly higher risk for being LGA (p = 0.032; OR 1.697; 95 % CI 1.047–2.752). BMI 25–30 was a significant independent risk factor for LGA in the IVF groups (FET p = 0.041, OR 2.460, 95 % CI 1.030–5.857 and fresh ET p = 0.003; OR 2.188, 95 % CI 1.297–3.691). ICSI and double ET had no significant effect on LGA occurrence.

Conclusions

Besides maternal BMI, FET is a significant independent LGA risk factor in IVF patients. Other observed factors (smoking, hypertension, multiparity, GDM, ICSI procedure, or number of embryos transferred) do not influence LGA risk significantly.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Professor Irma Virant Klun for contributing fresh ideas. Special thanks go to the Embryology team from our IVF Laboratory for their persistent and accurate data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva 3, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Sara Korosec, Helena Ban Frangez & Eda Vrtacnik Bokal

  2. Department Perinatology, Division of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva 3, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Lili Steblovnik

  3. Research Unit, Division of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Šlajmerjeva 3, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Ivan Verdenik

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  1. Sara Korosec
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  2. Helena Ban Frangez
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  5. Eda Vrtacnik Bokal
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sara Korosec.

Ethics declarations

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the national ethical research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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For this type of the study formal informed consent is not required.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Capsule

Besides maternal BMI, FET is a significant independent LGA risk factor in IVF patients. Other observed factors (smoking, hypertension, multiparity, GDM, ICSI procedure, or number of embryos transferred) do not influence LGA risk significantly.

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Korosec, S., Frangez, H.B., Steblovnik, L. et al. Independent factors influencing large-for-gestation birth weight in singletons born after in vitro fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 33, 9–17 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0601-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0601-4

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