Live birth outcomes in infertile patients with class III and class IV obesity following fresh embryo transfer

Objective Assess the effect of class III (body mass index [BMI, kg/m(2)] 40-49.9) and class IV obesity (>= 50) on clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes after first oocyte retrieval and fresh embryo transfer cycle. Design Cohort study Setting Academic center Patients Patients undergoing their first oocyte retrieval with planned fresh embryo transfer in our clinic between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2018. Patients were stratified by BMI: 18.5-24.9 (n = 4913), 25-29.9 (n = 1566) 30-34.9 (n = 559), 35-39.9 (n = 218), and >= 40 (n = 114). Intervention None Main outcome measure Live birth rate Results Following embryo transfer, there were no differences in pregnancy rates across all BMI groups (p value, linear trend = 0.86). However among pregnant patients, as BMI increased, a significant trend of a decreased live birth rate was observed (p value, test for linear trend = 0.004). Additionally, as BMI increased, a significant trend of an increased miscarriage rate was observed (p value, linear trend = < 0.001). Compared to the normal-weight cohort, women with a BMI >= 40 had a significantly higher rate of cancelled fresh transfers after retrieval (18.4% vs. 8.2%, OR 2.51; 95%CI 1.55-4.08). Among singleton deliveries, a significant trend of an increased c-section rate was identified as the BMI increased (p value, linear trend = <0.001). Conclusion Overall, patients with a BMI > 40 have worse IVF treatment outcomes compared to normal-weight patients. After embryo transfer, their pregnancy rate is comparable to normal-weight women; however, their miscarriage rate is higher, leading to a lower live birth rate for pregnant women in this population. Patients with a BMI > 40 have a c-section rate that is 50% higher than normal-weight patients.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the impact of class III and class IV obesity on clinical outcomes after the first oocyte retrieval and fresh embryo transfer cycle. It found that patients with a BMI > 40 had worse IVF treatment outcomes compared to normal-weight patients, with higher rates of cancelled fresh transfers, increased miscarriage rates, and higher c-section rates for singleton deliveries.