Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants Conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Objective To compare mortality and early respiratory outcomes of very preterm infants conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART) vs spontaneously. Study design We identified inborn infants (July 2014-July 2019) with gestational age <32 weeks (n = 439); 54 cases were ART conceived. Spontaneously conceived controls (n = 103) were matched by multiple gestation status and gestational age. Primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes were receipt of respiratory support and supplemental oxygen at 7 and 28 days and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. We evaluated the association between conception method and outcomes by logistic regression, with adjustment for sociodemographic status. Results Women who conceived via ART had increased rates of prepregnancy and gestational diabetes, and no differences in rates of hypertensive disorders. Infant 1-year mortality was not different by mode of conception (ART 11.8% vs spontaneous 7.1%, P =.49). Infants conceived by ART were less likely to receive respiratory support or supplemental oxygen at all time points, but this relationship only reached significance for receipt of oxygen at 28 days (ART 20.8% vs spontaneous 39.0%, P =.03); this remained true after adjustment for race/ethnicity and socioeconomic index. Conclusions When controlling for gestational age and multiple gestation status, very preterm infants conceived following ART had similar outcomes as those conceived spontaneously.

Automated summary

The study found that mortality rates within the first year were similar between very preterm infants conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART) and spontaneously conceived infants. Infants conceived via ART required less respiratory support and supplemental oxygen in the early stages compared to spontaneously conceived infants.