Perinatal outcome after in-vitro fertilization-surrogacy

Abstract

The perinatal outcome of pregnancies (both single and multiple) established after in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-surrogacy was evaluated and compared to the outcome of pregnancies that resulted from standard IVF. Analysis of medical records and a telephone interview with physicians, IVF-surrogates, and commissioning mothers were conducted to assess prenatal follow up and delivery care in several hospitals. 95 IVF-surrogates delivered 128 liveborn (65 singletons, 27 sets of twins and two sets of triplets). The commissioning mothers and the IVF-surrogates average ages were 37.7 ± 5.0 and 30.4 ± 4.7 years old respectively. IVF-surrogates carrying twin and triplet gestations delivered substantially earlier than those who gestated singleton pregnancies (36.2 ± 0.4 versus 35.5 versus 38.7 ± 0.3 weeks gestation respectively; P < 0.001). Twin newborns were significantly lighter than singleton infants born through IVF-surrogacy (2.7 ± 0.06 versus 3.5 ± 0.07 kg; P < 0.001). The incidence of low birth weight infants rose from 3.3% in the single births to 29.6% (P < 0.01) in the twins and to 33.3% in the triplets born through IVF-surrogacy. The incidence of prematurity was significantly greater in both twins delivered by IVF-surrogates (20.4%) and infertile IVF patients (58%). The occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension and bleeding in the third trimester was four to five times lower in the IVF-surrogates, independently of whether they were carrying multiples. The incidence of Caesarean section was 21.3% for singleton gestations, while two times higher in the IVF-surrogates carrying multiples (56.3%). Postpartum complications occurred in 6.3% of patients and the incidence of malformation was similar to those reported for the general population. The results provide general reassurance regarding perinatal outcome to couples who wish to pursue IVF-surrogacy.