Risk of ischemic placental disease in fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles

Frozen embryo transfer cycles are associated with a lower risk of ischemic placental disease than fresh embryo transfer cycles, likely from a lower risk of small for gestational age.

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Fertility and Sterility
Editorial Office, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
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Volume 111, Issue 4, Pages 714–721

Authors:

Katherine M. Johnson, M.D., Michele R. Hacker, Sc.D., Nina Resetkova, M.D., Barbara O'Brien, M.D., Anna M. Modest, Ph.D.

Abstract:

Objectives

To evaluate the association of fresh and frozen embryo transfer with the development of ischemic placental disease (IPD), hypothesizing that differences in implantation environment affect placentation and thus pregnancy outcomes.

Design

We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of deliveries linked to IVF cycles.

Setting

Tertiary hospital and infertility treatment center.

Patient(s)

We included all women who underwent an autologous IVF cycle and had a live-born infant or an intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). We excluded women less than 18 years of age.

Intervention(s)

We compared pregnancies resulting from frozen embryo transfer (frozen) cycles with those resulting from fresh embryo transfer (fresh) cycles.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The primary outcome was a composite outcome of IPD or IUFD due to placental insufficiency. Ischemic placental disease included pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, and small for gestational age (SGA). We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Result(s)

Compared with fresh cycles, frozen cycles had a lower risk of IPD or IUFD from placental insufficiency (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59–0.97). Frozen cycles also conferred a lower risk of SGA than fresh cycles (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41–0.81). Risks of pre-eclampsia (RR 1.3, 95% CI 0.84–1.9) and abruption (RR 1.2, 95% CI 0.56–2.4) were similar.

Conclusion(s)

There was a lower risk of IPD among frozen cycles compared with fresh cycles. This association was largely driven by lower risk of SGA among frozen cycles.


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Fertility and Sterility

Editorial Office, American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Fertility and Sterility® is an international journal for obstetricians, gynecologists, reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, basic scientists and others who treat and investigate problems of infertility and human reproductive disorders. The journal publishes juried original scientific articles in clinical and laboratory research relevant to reproductive endocrinology, urology, andrology, physiology, immunology, genetics, contraception, and menopause. Fertility and Sterility® encourages and supports meaningful basic and clinical research, and facilitates and promotes excellence in professional education, in the field of reproductive medicine.

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