States Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART) Collaborative: Data Collection, Linkage, Dissemination, and Use

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Perinatal Mortality: Selected States (2006-2011)

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare trends and characteristics of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and non-ART perinatal deaths and to evaluate the association of perinatal mortality and method of conception (ART vs. non-ART) among ART and non-ART deliveries in Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan from 2006 to 2011.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using linked ART surveillance and vital records data from Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

RESULTS

During 2006 to 2011, a total of 570 ART-conceived perinatal deaths and 25,158 non-ART conceived perinatal deaths were identified from the participating states. Overall, ART perinatal mortality rates were lower than non-ART perinatal mortality rates for both singletons (7.0/1,000 births vs. 10.2/1,000 births) and multiples (22.8/1,000 births vs. 41.2/1,000 births). At <28 weeks of gestation, the risk of perinatal death among ART singletons was significantly lower than non-ART singletons (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-0.85). Similar results were observed among multiples at <28 weeks of gestation (aRR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45-0.89).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that ART use is associated with a decreased risk of perinatal deaths prior to 28 weeks of gestation, which may be explained by earlier detection and management of fetal and maternal conditions among ART-conceived pregnancies. These findings provide valuable information for health care providers, including infertility specialists, obstetricians, and pediatricians when counseling ART users on risk of treatment.

KEY POINTS

· ART use is associated with a decreased risk of perinatal deaths prior to 28 weeks of gestation.. · ART perinatal mortality rates were lower than that for non-ART perinatal mortality.. · This study used linked data to examine associations between use of ART and perinatal deaths..

Assisted Reproductive Technology or Infertility: What underlies adverse outcomes? Lessons from the Massachusetts Outcome Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Numerous studies have demonstrated that assisted reproductive technology (ART: defined here as including only in vitro fertilization and related technologies) is associated with increased adverse pregnancy, neonatal, and childhood developmental outcomes, even in singletons. The comparison group for many had often been a fertile population that conceived without assistance. The Massachusetts Outcome Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology (MOSART) was initiated to define a subfertile population with which to compare ART outcomes. Over more than 10 years, we have used the MOSART database to study pregnancy abnormalities and delivery complications but also to evaluate ongoing health of women, infants, and children. This article will review studies from MOSART in the context of how they compare with those of other investigations. We will present MOSART studies that identified the influence of ART and subfertility/infertility on adverse pregnancy (pregnancy hypertensive disorder, gestational diabetes, placental abnormality) and delivery (preterm birth, low birthweight) outcomes as well as on maternal and child hospitalizations. We will provide evidence that although subfertility/infertility increases the risk of adverse outcomes, there is additional risk associated with the use of ART. Studies exploring the contribution of placental abnormalities as one factor adding to this increased ART-associated risk will be described.

A bespoke data linkage of an IVF clinical quality registry to population health datasets; methods and performance

Introduction

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), have revolutionised the treatment of infertility, with an estimated 8 million babies born worldwide. However, the long-term health outcomes for women and their offspring remain an area of concern. Linking IVF treatment data to long-term health data is the most efficient method for assessing such outcomes.

Objectives

To describe the creation and performance of a bespoke population-based data linkage of an ART clinical quality registry to state-based and national administrative datasets.

Methods

The linked dataset was created by deterministically and probabilistically linking the Australia and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD) to New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) administrative datasets (performed by NSW Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL)) and to national claims datasets (performed by Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)). The CHeReL’s Master Linkage Key (MLK) was used as a bridge between ANZARD’s partially identifiable patient data (statistical linkage key) and NSW and ACT administrative datasets. CHeReL then provided personal identifiers to the AIHW to obtain national content data. The results of the linkage were reported, and concordance between births recorded in ANZARD and perinatal data collections (PDCs) was evaluated.

Results

Of the 62,833 women who had ART treatment in NSW or ACT, 60,419 could be linked to the CHeReL MLK (linkage rate: 96.2%). A reconciliation of ANZARD-recorded births among NSW residents found that 94.2% (95% CI: 93.9–94.4%) of births were also recorded in state/territory-based PDCs. A high concordance was found in plurality status and birth outcome ≥99% agreement rate, Cohen’s kappa ranged: 0.78–0.98) between ANZARD and PDCs.

Conclusion

The data linkage resource demonstrates that high linkage rates can be achieved with partially identifiable data and that a population spine, such as the CHeReL’s MLK, can be successfully used as a bridge between clinical registries and administrative datasets.

Effect of parental and ART treatment characteristics on perinatal outcomes

STUDY QUESTION

Do parental characteristics and treatment with ART affect perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Both parental and ART treatment characteristics affect perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Previous studies have shown that singleton pregnancies resulting from ART are at risk of preterm birth. ART children are lighter at birth after correction for duration of gestation and at increased risk of congenital abnormalities compared to naturally conceived children. This association is confounded by parental characteristics that are also known to affect perinatal outcomes. It is unclear to which extent parental and ART treatment characteristics independently affect perinatal outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

All IVF clinics in the Netherlands (n = 13) were requested to provide data on all ART treatment cycles (IVF, ICSI and frozen-thawed embryo transfers (FET)), performed between 1 January 2000, and 1 January 2011, which resulted in a pregnancy. Using probabilistic data-linkage, these data (n = 36 683) were linked to the Dutch Perinatal Registry (Perined), which includes all children born in the Netherlands in the same time period (n = 2 548 977).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Analyses were limited to singleton pregnancies that resulted from IVF, ICSI or FET cycles. Multivariable models for linear and logistic regression were fitted including parental characteristics as well as ART treatment characteristics. Analyses were performed separately for fresh cycles and for fresh and FET cycles combined. We assessed the impact on the following perinatal outcomes: birth weight, preterm birth below 37 or 32 weeks of gestation, congenital malformations and perinatal mortality.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The perinatal outcomes of 31 184 out of the 36 683 ART treatment cycles leading to a pregnancy were retrieved through linkage with the Perined (85% linkage). Of those, 23 671 concerned singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF, ICSI or FET. Birth weight was independently associated with both parental and ART treatment characteristics. Characteristics associated with lower birth weight included maternal hypertensive disease, non-Dutch maternal ethnicity, nulliparity, increasing duration of subfertility, hCG for luteal phase support (compared to progesterone), shorter embryo culture duration, increasing number of oocytes retrieved and fresh embryo transfer. The parental characteristic with the greatest effect size on birth weight was maternal diabetes (adjusted difference 283 g, 95% CI 228–338). FET was the ART treatment characteristic with the greatest effect size on birth weight (adjusted difference 100 g, 95% CI 84–117) compared to fresh embryo transfer. Preterm birth was more common among mothers of South-Asian ethnicity. Preterm birth was less common among multiparous women and women with ‘male factor’ as treatment indication (compared to ‘tubal factor’).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Due to the retrospective nature of our study, we cannot prove causality. Further limitations of our study were the inability to adjust for mothers giving birth more than once in our dataset, missing values for several variables and limited information on parental lifestyle and general health.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Multiple parental and ART treatment characteristics affect perinatal outcomes, with birth weight being influenced by the widest range of factors. This highlights the importance of assessing both parental and ART treatment characteristics in studies that focus on the health of ART-offspring, with the purpose of modifying these factors where possible. Our results further support the hypothesis that the embryo is sensitive to its early environment.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was funded by Foreest Medical School, Alkmaar, the Netherlands (grants: FIO 1307 and FIO 1505). B.W.M. reports grants from NHMRC and consultancy for ObsEva, Merck KGaA, iGenomics and Guerbet. F.B. reports research support grants from Merck Serono and personal fees from Merck Serono. A.C. reports travel support from Ferring BV. and Theramex BV. and personal fees from UpToDate (Hyperthecosis), all outside the remit of the current work. The remaining authors report no conflict of interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

In-Vitro Fertilization Impact on the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Review Article

Background

Due to the increasing prevalence of infertility, the number of referrals to infertility treatment centers has also increased. Nowadays, assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), is a treatment for infertility or genetic problems. Considering the possible consequences of this method among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and kids conceived by IVF, extensive research has been conducted in this regard.

Methods

Overall, 100 articles were entered into the study, and relevant articles were searched and extracted from PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar databases. In IVF procedure, medications such as Clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins are used to stimulate and mature follicles and thus increase ovulation.

Results

There are conflicting opinions on this issue. Some findings report a slight increase in cancer risk for hormone-sensitive cancers including breast cancer. The long-term use of IVF medications can increase estrogen hormones and cause excessive expression of genes, resulting in an increased risk of breast cancer, which is one of the most frequent cancers among women.

Conclusion

There are some risks to be aware of, which followed the hypothesis that long IVF treatment process may lead to breast cancer among IVF candidates. Furthermore, the risk of breast cancer may be increased in those women with a positive family history and related inherited genes. Therefore, women candidates for IVF should be informed of the probable implications of the reproductive therapy techniques.

Number of embryos transferred and diagnosis of preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Multiple births and first pregnancy are associated with higher preeclampsia risk. It is unknown if the transfer of multiple embryos or first embryo transfer with assisted reproductive technology (ART) is also associated with greater preeclampsia risk.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of IVF clinics and hospitals in Massachusetts. We used linked ART surveillance, birth certificate, and maternal hospitalization discharge data for 21,188 births, considering resident singleton (12,810) and twin (8378) live-births from autologous or donor eggs from 2005 to 2012. We used log binomial and Poisson regression to calculate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between preeclampsia and predictors of preeclampsia. Outcomes were stratified by singleton and twin birth, donor versus autologous cycles, and use of fresh versus cryopreserved embryos.

RESULTS

Considering all singleton births, the transfer of multiple embryos increased the risk of preeclampsia [aRR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01-1.19)]. Relative risks were greatest for fresh non-donor cycles [aRR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.03-1.26)]. Vanishing twin and number of prior ART cycles was not associated with preeclampsia among singleton births [aRR = 1.18 (95% CI: 0.91-1.53)], and aRR = 1.01 (95% CI: 0.96-1.05)], respectively. Considering all twin births, the transfer of > 2 embryos increased the risk of preeclampsia [aRR = 1.09 (95% CI: 1.001-1.19)]. Vanishing triplet and number of prior ART cycles were not associated with preeclampsia among twin births [aRR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.69-1264), and aRR = 0.98 (CI: 0.95-1.02)], respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ART births, the transfer of more than 1 embryo for singleton gestations and more than 2 embryos for twin gestations increased the risk for preeclampsia diagnosis.

The role of the IL-1 system in pregnancy and the use of IL-1 system markers to identify women at risk for pregnancy complications†

The interleukin (IL)-1 system plays a major role in immune responses and inflammation. The IL-1 system components include IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1 receptor type 1 and IL-1 receptor type 2 (decoy receptor), IL-1 receptor accessory protein, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). These components have been shown to play a role in pregnancy, specifically in embryo-maternal communication for implantation, placenta development, and protection against infections. As gestation advances, maternal tissues experience increasing fetal demand and physical stress and IL-1β is induced. Dependent on the levels of IL-1Ra, which regulates IL-1β activity, a pro-inflammatory response may or may not occur. If there is an inflammatory response, prostaglandins are synthesized that may lead to myometrial contractions and the initiation of labor. Many studies have examined the role of the IL-1 system in pregnancy by independently measuring plasma, cervical, and amniotic fluid IL-1β or IL-1Ra levels. Other studies have tested for polymorphisms in IL-1β and IL-1Ra genes in women experiencing pregnancy complications such as early pregnancy loss, in vitro fertilization failure, pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery. Data from those studies suggest a definite role for the IL-1 system in successful pregnancy outcomes. However, as anticipated, the results varied among different experimental models, ethnicities, and disease states. Here, we review the current literature and propose that measurement of IL-1Ra in relation to IL-1 may be useful in predicting the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance - United States, 2016

PROBLEM/CONDITION

Since the first U.S. infant conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) was born in 1981, both the use of ART and the number of fertility clinics providing ART services have increased steadily in the United States. ART includes fertility treatments in which eggs or embryos are handled in the laboratory (i.e., in vitro fertilization [IVF] and related procedures). Although the majority of infants conceived through ART are singletons, women who undergo ART procedures are more likely than women who conceive naturally to deliver multiple-birth infants. Multiple births pose substantial risks for both mothers and infants, including obstetric complications, preterm delivery (<37 weeks), and low birthweight (<2,500 g). This report provides state-specific information for the United States (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) on ART procedures performed in 2016 and compares birth outcomes that occurred in 2016 (resulting from ART procedures performed in 2015 and 2016) with outcomes for all infants born in the United States in 2016.

PERIOD COVERED

2016.

DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM

In 1995, CDC began collecting data on ART procedures performed in fertility clinics in the United States as mandated by the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992 (FCSRCA) (Public Law 102-493 [October 24, 1992]). Data are collected through the National ART Surveillance System (NASS), a web-based data collection system developed by CDC. This report includes data from 52 reporting areas (the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico).

RESULTS

In 2016, a total of 197,706 ART procedures (range: 162 in Wyoming to 24,030 in California) with the intent to transfer at least one embryo were performed in 463 U.S. fertility clinics and reported to CDC. These procedures resulted in 65,964 live-birth deliveries (range: 57 in Puerto Rico to 8,638 in California) and 76,892 infants born (range: 74 in Alaska to 9,885 in California). Nationally, the number of ART procedures performed per 1 million women of reproductive age (15-44 years), a proxy measure of the ART use rate, was 3,075. ART use rates exceeded the national rate in 14 reporting areas (Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia). ART use exceeded 1.5 times the national rate in nine states, including three (Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) that also had comprehensive mandated health insurance coverage for ART procedures (i.e., coverage for at least four oocyte retrievals). Nationally, among ART transfer procedures for patients using fresh embryos from their own eggs, the average number of embryos transferred increased with increasing age (1.5 among women aged <35 years, 1.7 among women aged 35-37 years, and 2.2 among women aged >37 years). Among women aged <35 years, the national elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) rate was 42.7% (range: 8.3% in North Dakota to 83.9% in Delaware). In 2016, ART contributed to 1.8% of all infants born in the United States (range: 0.3% in Puerto Rico to 4.7% in Massachusetts). ART also contributed to 16.4% of all multiple-birth infants, including 16.2% of all twin infants and 19.4% of all triplets and higher-order infants. ART-conceived twins accounted for approximately 96.5% (21,455 of 22,233) of all ART-conceived infants born in multiple deliveries. The percentage of multiple-birth infants was higher among infants conceived with ART (31.5%) than among all infants born in the total birth population (3.4%). Approximately 30.4% of ART-conceived infants were twins and 1.1% were triplets and higher-order infants. Nationally, infants conceived with ART contributed to 5.0% of all low birthweight (<2,500 g) infants. Among ART-conceived infants, 23.6% had low birthweight compared with 8.2% among all infants. ART-conceived infants contributed to 5.3% of all preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) infants. The percentage of preterm births was higher among infants conceived with ART (29.9%) than among all infants born in the total birth population (9.9%). The percentage of ART-conceived infants who had low birthweight was 8.7% among singletons, 54.9% among twins, and 94.9% among triplets and higher-order multiples; the corresponding percentages among all infants born were 6.2% among singletons, 55.4% among twins, and 94.6% among triplets and higher-order multiples. The percentage of ART-conceived infants who were born preterm was 13.7% among singletons, 64.2% among twins, and 97.0% among triplets and higher-order infants; the corresponding percentages among all infants were 7.8% for singletons, 59.9% for twins, and 97.7% for triplets and higher-order infants.

INTERPRETATION

Multiple births from ART contributed to a substantial proportion of all twins, triplets, and higher-order infants born in the United States. For women aged <35 years, who typically are considered good candidates for eSET, on average, 1.5 embryos were transferred per ART procedure, resulting in higher multiple birth rates than could be achieved with single-embryo transfers. Of the four states (Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) with comprehensive mandated health insurance coverage, three (Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) had rates of ART use >1.5 times the national average. Although other factors might influence ART use, insurance coverage for infertility treatments accounts for some of the difference in per capita ART use observed among states because most states do not mandate any coverage for ART treatment.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION

Twins account for almost all of ART-conceived multiple births born in multiple deliveries. Reducing the number of embryos transferred and increasing use of eSET, when clinically appropriate, could help reduce multiple births and related adverse health consequences for both mothers and infants. Because multiple-birth infants are at increased risk for numerous adverse sequelae that cannot be ascertained from the data collected through NASS alone, long-term follow-up of ART infants through integration of existing maternal and infant health surveillance systems and registries with data available from NASS might be useful for monitoring adverse outcomes.

In vitro fertilization, interpregnancy interval, and risk of adverse perinatal outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To compare associations between interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) and adverse perinatal outcomes in deliveries following IVF with deliveries following spontaneous conception or other (non-IVF) fertility treatments.

DESIGN

Cohort using linked birth certificate and assisted reproductive technology surveillance data from Massachusetts and Michigan.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

1,225,718 deliveries.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S)

We assessed associations between IPI and preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) according to live birth or nonlive pregnancy outcome in the previous pregnancy.

RESULT(S)

In IVF deliveries following previous live birth, risk of PTB was 22.2% for IPI 12 to <24 months (reference); risk of PTB was higher for IPI <12 months (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.41) and IPI ≥60 months (aRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.26). In non-IVF deliveries following live birth, risk of PTB was 6.4% for IPI 12 to <24 months (reference); risk of PTB was higher for IPI <12 and ≥60 months (aRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.16-1.21, for both). In both populations, U-shaped or approximately U-shaped associations were observed for SGA and LBW, although the association of IPI <12 months and SGA was not significant in IVF deliveries. In IVF and non-IVF deliveries following nonlive pregnancy outcome, IPI <12 months was not associated with increased risk of PTB, LBW, or SGA, but IPI ≥60 months was associated with significant increased risk of those outcomes in non-IVF deliveries.

CONCLUSION(S)

Following live births, IPIs <12 or ≥60 months were associated with higher risks of most adverse perinatal outcomes in both IVF and non-IVF deliveries.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance - United States, 2015

PROBLEM/CONDITION

Since the first U.S. infant conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) was born in 1981, both the use of ART and the number of fertility clinics providing ART services have increased steadily in the United States. ART includes fertility treatments in which eggs or embryos are handled in the laboratory (i.e., in vitro fertilization [IVF] and related procedures). Although the majority of infants conceived through ART are singletons, women who undergo ART procedures are more likely than women who conceive naturally to deliver multiple-birth infants. Multiple births pose substantial risks for both mothers and infants, including obstetric complications, preterm delivery (<37 weeks), and low birthweight (<2,500 g) infants. This report provides state-specific information for the United States (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) on ART procedures performed in 2015 and compares birth outcomes that occurred in 2015 (resulting from ART procedures performed in 2014 and 2015) with outcomes for all infants born in the United States in 2015.

PERIOD COVERED

2015.

DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM

In 1995, CDC began collecting data on ART procedures performed in fertility clinics in the United States as mandated by the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992 (FCSRCA) (Public Law 102-493 [October 24, 1992]). Data are collected through the National ART Surveillance System, a web-based data collection system developed by CDC. This report includes data from 52 reporting areas (the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico).

RESULTS

In 2015, a total of 182,111 ART procedures (range: 135 in Alaska to 23,198 in California) with the intent to transfer at least one embryo were performed in 464 U.S. fertility clinics and reported to CDC. These procedures resulted in 59,334 live-birth deliveries (range: 55 in Wyoming to 7,802 in California) and 71,152 infants born (range: 68 in Wyoming to 9,176 in California). Nationally, the number of ART procedures performed per 1 million women of reproductive age (15-44 years), a proxy measure of the ART utilization rate, was 2,832. ART use exceeded the national rate in 13 reporting areas (California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia). Nationally, among ART transfer procedures in patients using fresh embryos from their own eggs, the average number of embryos transferred increased with increasing age of the woman (1.6 among women aged <35 years, 1.8 among women aged 35-37 years, and 2.3 among women aged >37 years). Among women aged <35 years, the national elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) rate was 34.7% (range: 11.3% in Puerto Rico to 88.1% in Delaware). In 2015, ART contributed to 1.7% of all infants born in the United States (range: 0.3% in Puerto Rico to 4.5% in Massachusetts). ART also contributed to 17.0% of all multiple-birth infants, 16.8% of all twin infants, and 22.2% of all triplets and higher-order infants. The percentage of multiple-birth infants was higher among infants conceived with ART (35.3%) than among all infants born in the total birth population (3.4%). Approximately 34.0% of ART-conceived infants were twins and 1.0% were triplets and higher-order infants. Nationally, infants conceived with ART contributed to 5.1% of all low birthweight infants. Among ART-conceived infants, 25.5% had low birthweight, compared with 8.1% among all infants. ART-conceived infants contributed to 5.3% of all preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) infants. The percentage of preterm births was higher among infants conceived with ART (31.2%) than among all infants born in the total birth population (9.7%). Among singletons, the percentage of ART-conceived infants who had low birthweight was 8.7% compared with 6.4% among all infants born. The percentage of ART-conceived infants who were born preterm was 13.4% among singletons compared with 7.9% among all infants.

INTERPRETATION

Multiple births from ART contributed to a substantial proportion of all twins, triplets, and higher-order infants born in the United States. For women aged <35 years, who are typically considered good candidates for eSET, the national average of 1.6 embryos was transferred per ART procedure. Of the four states (Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) with comprehensive mandated health insurance coverage for ART procedures (i.e., coverage for at least four cycles of IVF), three (Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) had rates of ART use exceeding 1.5 times the national rate. This type of mandated insurance coverage has been associated with greater use of ART and likely accounts for some of the difference in per capita ART use observed among states.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION

Twins account for the majority of ART-conceived multiple births. Reducing the number of embryos transferred and increasing use of eSET when clinically appropriate could help reduce multiple births and related adverse health consequences for both mothers and infants. State-based surveillance of ART might be useful for monitoring and evaluating maternal and infant health outcomes of ART in states with high ART use.

Embryo cryopreservation and preeclampsia risk

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles involving cryopreserved-warmed embryos are associated with the development of preeclampsia.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

IVF clinics and hospitals.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 15,937 births from ART: 9,417 singleton and 6,520 twin.

INTERVENTION(S)

We used linked ART surveillance, birth certificate, and maternal hospitalization discharge data, considering resident singleton and twin births from autologous or donor eggs from 2005-2010.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

We compared the frequency of preeclampsia diagnosis for cryopreserved-warmed versus fresh ET and used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for confounders.

RESULT(S)

Among pregnancies conceived with autologous eggs resulting in singletons, preeclampsia was greater after cryopreserved-warmed versus fresh ET (7.51% vs. 4.29%, adjusted odds ratio = 2.17 [95% CI 1.67-2.82]). Preeclampsia without and with severe features, preeclampsia with preterm delivery, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia were more frequent after cryopreserved-warmed versus fresh ET (3.99% vs. 2.55%; 2.95% vs. 1.41%; 2.76 vs. 1.48%; and 0.95% vs. 0.43%, respectively). Among pregnancies from autologous eggs resulting in twins, the frequency of preeclampsia with severe features (9.26% vs. 5.70%) and preeclampsia with preterm delivery (14.81% vs. 11.74%) was higher after cryopreserved versus fresh transfers. Among donor egg pregnancies, rates of preeclampsia did not differ significantly between cryopreserved-warmed and fresh ET (10.78% vs. 12.13% for singletons and 28.0% vs. 25.15% for twins).

CONCLUSION(S)

Among ART pregnancies conceived using autologous eggs resulting in live births, those involving transfer of cryopreserved-warmed embryos, as compared with fresh ETs, had increased risk for preeclampsia with severe features and preeclampsia with preterm delivery.

Adverse pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes in twins: effects of maternal fertility status and infant gender combinations; the Massachusetts Outcomes Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether the risk of adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies among subfertile women, conceived with and without in vitro fertilization, differs from those conceived spontaneously.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the effects of fertility status on adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies on a population basis.

STUDY DESIGN

All twin live births of ≥22 weeks' gestation and ≥350 g birthweight to Massachusetts resident women in 2004 through 2010 were linked to hospital discharge records, vital records, and in vitro fertilization cycles. Women were categorized by their fertility status as in vitro fertilization, subfertile, or fertile, and by twin pair genders (all, like, unlike). Women whose births linked to in vitro fertilization cycles were classified as in vitro fertilization; those with indicators of subfertility but without in vitro fertilization treatment were classified as subfertile; all others were classified as fertile. Risks of 6 adverse pregnancy outcomes (gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension, uterine bleeding, placental complications [placenta abruptio, placenta previa, and vasa previa], prenatal hospitalizations, and primary cesarean) and 9 adverse infant outcomes (very low birthweight, low birthweight, small-for-gestation birthweight, large-for-gestation birthweight, very preterm [<32 weeks], preterm, birth defects, neonatal death, and infant death) were modeled by fertility status with the fertile group as reference, using multivariate log binomial regression and reported as adjusted relative risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The study population included 10,352 women with twin pregnancies (6090 fertile, 724 subfertile, and 3538 in vitro fertilization). Among all twins, the risks for all 6 adverse pregnancy outcomes were significantly increased for the subfertile and in vitro fertilization groups, with highest risks for uterine bleeding (adjusted relative risk ratios, 1.92 and 2.58, respectively) and placental complications (adjusted relative risk ratios, 2.07 and 1.83, respectively). Among all twins, the risks for those born to subfertile women were significantly increased for very preterm birth and neonatal and infant death (adjusted relative risk ratios, 1.36, 1.89, and 1.87, respectively). Risks were significantly increased among in vitro fertilization twins for very preterm birth, preterm birth, and birth defects (adjusted relative risk ratios, 1.28, 1.07, and 1.26, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Risks of all maternal and most infant adverse outcomes were increased for subfertile and in vitro fertilization twins. Among all twins, the highest risks were for uterine bleeding and placental complications for the subfertile and in vitro fertilization groups, and neonatal and infant death in the subfertile group. These findings provide further evidence supporting single embryo transfer and more cautious use of ovulation induction.

Pregnancy and birth outcomes in couples with infertility with and without assisted reproductive technology: with an emphasis on US population-based studies

Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive within 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affects an estimated 80 million individuals worldwide, or 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. Assisted reproductive technology includes all infertility treatments to achieve conception; in vitro fertilization is the process by which an oocyte is fertilized by semen outside the body; non-in vitro fertilization assisted reproductive technology treatments include ovulation induction, artificial insemination, and intrauterine insemination. Use of assisted reproductive technology has risen steadily in the United States during the past 2 decades due to several reasons, including childbearing at older maternal ages and increasing insurance coverage. The number of in vitro fertilization cycles in the United States has nearly doubled from 2000 through 2013 and currently 1.7% of all live births in the United States are the result of this technology. Since the birth of the first child from in vitro fertilization >35 years ago, >5 million babies have been born from in vitro fertilization, half within the past 6 years. It is estimated that 1% of singletons, 19% of twins, and 25% of triplet or higher multiples are due to in vitro fertilization, and 4%, 21%, and 52%, respectively, are due to non-in vitro fertilization assisted reproductive technology. Higher plurality at birth results in a >10-fold increase in the risks for prematurity and low birthweight in twins vs singletons (adjusted odds ratio, 11.84; 95% confidence interval, 10.56-13.27 and adjusted odds ratio, 10.68; 95% confidence interval, 9.45-12.08, respectively). The use of donor oocytes is associated with increased risks for pregnancy-induced hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.78) and prematurity (adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.83). The use of thawed embryos is associated with higher risks for pregnancy-induced hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.57) and large-for-gestation birthweight (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.08). Among singletons, in vitro fertilization is associated with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity compared with fertile deliveries (vaginal: adjusted odds ratio, 2.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.78-2.88; cesarean: adjusted odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-1.98, respectively) and subfertile deliveries (vaginal: adjusted odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-3.00; cesarean: adjusted odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.35, respectively). Among twins, cesarean in vitro fertilization deliveries have significantly greater severe maternal morbidity compared to cesarean fertile deliveries (adjusted odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.93). Subfertility, with or without in vitro fertilization or non-in vitro fertilization infertility treatments to achieve a pregnancy, is associated with increased risks of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. The major risk from in vitro fertilization treatments of multiple births (and the associated excess of perinatal morbidity) has been reduced over time, with fewer and better-quality embryos being transferred.

Pregnancy, birth, and infant outcomes by maternal fertility status: the Massachusetts Outcomes Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology

BACKGROUND

Births to subfertile women, with and without infertility treatment, have been reported to have lower birthweights and shorter gestations, even when limited to singletons. It is unknown whether these decrements are due to parental characteristics or aspects of infertility treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of maternal fertility status on the risk of pregnancy, birth, and infant complications.

STUDY DESIGN

All singleton live births of ≥22 weeks' gestation and ≥350 g birthweight to Massachusetts resident women in 2004-2010 were linked to hospital discharge and vital records. Women were categorized by their fertility status as in vitro fertilization, subfertile, or fertile. Women whose births linked to in vitro fertilization cycles from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcomes Reporting System were classified as in vitro fertilization. Women with indicators of subfertility but not treated with in vitro fertilization were classified as subfertile. Women without indicators of subfertility or in vitro fertilization treatment were classified as fertile. Risks of 15 adverse outcomes (gestational diabetes, pregnancy hypertension, antenatal bleeding, placental complications [placenta abruptio and placenta previa], prenatal hospitalizations, primary cesarean delivery, very low birthweight [<1500 g], low birthweight [<2500 g], small-for-gestation birthweight [z-score ≤-1.28], large-for-gestation birthweight [z-score ≥1.28], very preterm [<32 weeks], preterm [<37 weeks], birth defects, neonatal death [0-27 days], and infant death [0-364 days of life]) were modeled by fertility status with the fertile group as reference and the subfertile group as reference, using multivariate log binomial regression and reported as adjusted risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The study population included 459,623 women (441,420 fertile, 8054 subfertile, and 10,149 in vitro fertilization). Women in the subfertile and in vitro fertilization groups were older than their fertile counterparts. Risks for 6 of 6 pregnancy outcomes and 6 of 9 infant outcomes were increased for the subfertile group, and 5 of 6 pregnancy outcomes and 7 of 9 infant outcomes were increased for the in vitro fertilization group. For 4 of the 6 pregnancy outcomes (uterine bleeding, placental complications, prenatal hospitalizations, and primary cesarean) and 2 of the infant outcomes (low birthweight and preterm) the risk was greater in the in vitro fertilization group, with nonoverlapping confidence intervals to the subfertile group, indicating a substantially higher risk among in vitro fertilization-treated women. The highest risks for the in vitro fertilization women were uterine bleeding (adjusted risk ratio, 3.80; 95% confidence interval, 3.31-4.36) and placental complications (adjusted risk ratio, 2.81; 95% confidence interval, 2.57-3.08), and for in vitro fertilization infants, very preterm birth (adjusted risk ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.80-2.52), and very low birthweight (adjusted risk ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.80-2.56). With subfertile women as reference, risks for the in vitro fertilization group were significantly increased for uterine bleeding, placental complications, prenatal hospitalizations, primary cesarean delivery, low and very low birthweight, and preterm and very preterm birth.

CONCLUSION

These analyses indicate that, compared with fertile women, subfertile and in vitro fertilization-treated women tend to be older, have more preexisting chronic conditions, and are at higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly uterine bleeding and placental complications. The greater risk in in vitro fertilization-treated women may reflect more severe infertility, more extensive underlying pathology, or other unfavorable factors not measured in this study.

Assisted reproduction and risk of preterm birth in singletons by infertility diagnoses and treatment modalities: a population-based study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine the spectrum of infertility diagnoses and assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments in relation to risk of preterm birth (PTB) in singletons.

METHODS

Population-based assisted reproductive technology surveillance data for 2000-2010 were linked with birth certificates from three states: Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan, resulting in a sample of 4,370,361 non-ART and 28,430 ART-related singletons. Logistic regression models with robust variance estimators were used to compare PTB risk among singletons conceived with and without ART, the former grouped by parental infertility diagnoses and treatment modalities. Demographic and pregnancy factors were included in adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

ART was associated with increased PTB risk across all infertility diagnosis groups and treatment types: for conventional ART, adjusted relative risks ranged from 1.4 (95% CI 1.0, 1.9) for male infertility to 2.4 (95% CI 1.8, 3.3) for tubal ligation. Adding intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection and/or assisted hatching to conventional ART treatment did not alter associated PTB risks. Singletons conceived by mothers without infertility diagnosis and with donor semen had an increased PTB risk relative to non-ART singletons.

CONCLUSIONS

PTB risk among ART singletons is increased within each treatment type and all underlying infertility diagnosis, including male infertility. Preterm birth in ART singletons may be attributed to parental infertility, ART treatments, or their combination.

Maternal Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Neonatal Birth Outcomes With and Without Assisted Reproduction

OBJECTIVE

To explore disparities in prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) by maternal race and ethnicity among singletons conceived with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using resident birth certificate data from Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan linked with data from the National ART Surveillance System from 2000 to 2010. There were 4,568,822 live births, of which 64,834 were conceived with ART. We compared maternal and ART cycle characteristics of singleton liveborn neonates using χ tests across maternal race and ethnicity groups. We used log binomial models to explore associations between maternal race and ethnicity and LBW and preterm birth by ART conception status.

RESULTS

The proportion of liveborn neonates conceived with ART differed by maternal race and ethnicity (P<.01). It was smallest among neonates of non-Hispanic black (0.3%) and Hispanic women (0.6%) as compared with neonates of non-Hispanic white (2.0%) and Asian or Pacific Islander women (1.9%). The percentages of LBW or preterm singletons were highest for neonates of non-Hispanic black women both for non-ART (11.3% and 12.4%) and ART (16.1% and 19.1%) -conceived neonates. After adjusting for maternal factors, the risks of LBW or preterm birth for singletons born to non-Hispanic black mothers were 2.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10-2.14] and 1.56 (95% CI 1.54-1.57) times higher for non-ART neonates and 1.87 (95% CI 1.57-2.23) and 1.56 (95% CI 1.34-1.83) times higher for ART neonates compared with neonates of non-Hispanic white women. The adjusted risk for LBW was also significantly higher for ART and non-ART singletons born to Hispanic (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.26, 95% CI 1.09-1.47 and adjusted RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.13-1.16) and Asian or Pacific Islander (adjusted RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.16-1.65 and adjusted RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.52-1.58) women compared with non-Hispanic white women.

CONCLUSION

Disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes by maternal race and ethnicity persisted for neonates conceived with and without ART.

Using multiple imputation to address the inconsistent distribution of a controlling variable when modeling an infrequent outcome

Temporal changes in methods for collecting longitudinal data can generate inconsistent distributions of affected variables, but effects on parameter estimates have not been well described. We examined differences in Apgar scores of infants born in 2000-2006 to women with ovulatory dysfunction (risk) or tubal obstruction (reference) who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART), using Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan birth certificate data linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National ART Surveillance System database. Florida had inconsistent information on induction of labor (a control variable) from a 2004 change in birth certificate format. Because we wanted to control for bias that may be introduced by the inconsistent distribution of labor induction in analysis, we used multiple imputation data in analysis. We used Cox-Iannacchione weighted sequential hot deck method to conduct multiple imputation for the labor induction values in Florida data collected before this change, and missing values in Florida data collected after the change and overall Massachusetts and Michigan data. The adjusted odds ratios for low Apgar score were 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.85) using imputed induction of labor and 1.83 (95% CI 1.20-2.80) using not imputed induction of labor. Compared with the estimate from multiple imputation, the estimate obtained using not imputed induction of labor was biased towards the null with inflated standard errors, but the magnitude of differences was small.

Perinatal outcomes among singletons after assisted reproductive technology with single-embryo or double-embryo transfer versus no assisted reproductive technology

OBJECTIVE

To examine outcomes of singleton pregnancies conceived without assisted reproductive technology (non-ART) compared with singletons conceived with ART by elective single-embryo transfer (eSET), nonelective single-embryo transfer (non-eSET), and double-embryo transfer with the establishment of 1 (DET -1) or ≥2 (DET ≥2) early fetal heartbeats.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort using linked ART surveillance data and vital records from Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Connecticut.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

Singleton live-born infants.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Preterm birth (PTB <37 weeks), very preterm birth (VPTB <32 weeks), small for gestational age birth weight (<10th percentile), low birth weight (LBW <2,500 g), very low birth weight (VLBW <1,500 g), 5-minute Apgar score <7, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.

RESULT(S)

After controlling for maternal characteristics and employing a weighted propensity score approach, we found that singletons conceived after eSET were less likely to have a 5-minute Apgar <7 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.69) compared with non-ART singletons. There were no differences among outcomes between non-ART and non-eSET infants. We found that PTB, VPTB, LBW, and VLBW were more likely among DET -1 and DET ≥2 compared with non-ART infants, with the odds being higher for DET ≥2 (PTB aOR 1.58; 95% CI, 1.09-2.29; VPTB aOR 2.46; 95% CI, 1.20-5.04; LBW aOR 2.17; 95% CI, 1.24-3.79; VLBW aOR 3.67; 95% CI, 1.38-9.77).

CONCLUSION(S)

Compared with non-ART singletons, singletons born after eSET and non-eSET did not have increased risks whereas DET -1 and DET ≥2 singletons were more likely to have adverse perinatal outcomes.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance - United States, 2014

PROBLEM/CONDITION

Since the first U.S. infant conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) was born in 1981, both the use of ART and the number of fertility clinics providing ART services have increased steadily in the United States. ART includes fertility treatments in which eggs or embryos are handled in the laboratory (i.e., in vitro fertilization [IVF] and related procedures). Women who undergo ART procedures are more likely than women who conceive naturally to deliver multiple-birth infants. Multiple births pose substantial risks to both mothers and infants, including obstetric complications, preterm delivery, and low birthweight infants. This report provides state-specific information for the United States (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) on ART procedures performed in 2014 and compares birth outcomes that occurred in 2014 (resulting from ART procedures performed in 2013 and 2014) with outcomes for all infants born in the United States in 2014.

PERIOD COVERED

2014.

DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM

In 1996, CDC began collecting data on ART procedures performed in fertility clinics in the United States as mandated by the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992 (FCSRCA) (Public Law 102-493). Data are collected through the National ART Surveillance System (NASS), a web-based data collection system developed by CDC. This report includes data from 52 reporting areas (the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico).

RESULTS

In 2014, a total of 169,568 ART procedures (range: 124 in Wyoming to 21,018 in California) with the intent to transfer at least one embryo were performed in 458 U.S. fertility clinics and reported to CDC. These procedures resulted in 56,028 live-birth deliveries (range: 52 in Wyoming to 7,230 in California) and 68,782 infants born (range: 64 in Wyoming to 8,793 in California). Nationally, the total number of ART procedures performed per million women of reproductive age (15-44 years), a proxy measure of the ART usage rate, was 2,647 (range: 364 in Puerto Rico to 6,726 in Massachusetts). ART use exceeded the national average in 13 reporting areas (Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia). Eight reporting areas (Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York) had rates of ART use exceeding 1.5 times the national average. Nationally, among ART transfer procedures in patients using fresh embryos from their own eggs, the average number of embryos transferred increased with increasing age of the woman (1.7 among women aged <35 years, 1.9 among women aged 35-37 years, and 2.3 among women aged >37 years). Among women aged <35 years, who typically are considered to be good candidates for elective single embryo transfer (eSET) procedures, the national eSET rate was 28.5% (range: 4.3% in Puerto Rico to 67.9% in Delaware). In 2014, ART contributed to 1.6% of all infants born in the United States (range: 0.4% in Puerto Rico to 4.7% in Massachusetts) and 18.3% of all multiple-birth infants (range: 5.5% in Alaska and West Virginia to 37.3% in Hawaii), including 18.0% of all twin infants (range: 5.2% in some states to 36.2% in Hawaii) and 26.4% of all triplets and higher-order infants (range: 0% in some states to 65.2% in Hawaii). Percentages of live births that were multiple-birth deliveries were higher among infants conceived with ART (39.4%; range: 11.5% in Delaware to 55.6% in Puerto Rico) than among all infants born in the total birth population (3.5%; range: 2.2% in Puerto Rico to 4.4% in New Jersey). Approximately 38.0% of ART-conceived infants were twin infants, and 2.0% were triplets and higher-order infants. ART-conceived twins accounted for approximately 95.3% of all ART-conceived infants born in multiple deliveries. Nationally, infants conceived with ART contributed to 5.5% of all low birthweight (<2,500 g) infants (range: 1.2% in West Virginia to 14.2% in Massachusetts). Among ART-conceived infants, 27.8% were low birthweight (range: 10.6% in Delaware to 44.4% in Puerto Rico), compared with 8.0% among all infants (range: 5.9% in Alaska to 11.3% in Mississippi). ART-conceived infants contributed to 4.7% of all preterm (<37 weeks) infants (range: 1.2% in Puerto Rico to 13.4% in Massachusetts). Percentages of preterm births were higher among infants conceived with ART (33.2%; range: 18.9% in the District of Columbia to 45.9% in Puerto Rico) than among all infants born in the total birth population (11.3%; range: 8.5% in California to 16.0% in Mississippi). The percentage of ART-conceived infants who were low birthweight was 8.9% (range: 3.2% in some states to 16.1% in Vermont) among singletons and 55.2% (range: 38.5% in Delaware to 77.8% in Alaska) among twins; the corresponding percentages of low birthweight infants among all infants born were 6.3% for singletons (range: 4.6% in Alaska, North Dakota, and Oregon to 9.5% in Puerto Rico) and 55.2% for twins (range: 46.1% in Alaska to 65.6% in Mississippi). The percentage of ART-conceived infants who were preterm was 13.2% (range: 7.5% in Rhode Island to 23.4% in West Virginia) among singletons and 62.2% (range: 33.3% in some states to 81.4% in Mississippi) among twins; the corresponding percentages of preterm infants among all infants were 9.7% for singletons (range: 1.7% in the District of Columbia to 14.2% in Mississippi) and 56.6% for twins (range: 47.2% in Vermont to 66.9% in Wyoming).

INTERPRETATION

The percentage of infants conceived with ART varied considerably by reporting area. Multiple births from ART contributed to a substantial proportion of all twins, triplets, and higher-order infants born. Low birthweight and preterm infant birth rates were disproportionately higher among ART-conceived infants than among the overall birth population. Although women aged <35 years are typically considered good candidates for eSET, on average two embryos were transferred per ART procedure with women in this group. Compared with ART-conceived singletons, ART-conceived twins were approximately five times more likely to be born preterm and approximately six times more likely to be born with low birthweight. Singleton infants conceived with ART had higher percentages of preterm birth and low birthweight than all singleton infants born in the United States. ART use per population unit was geographically variable, with 13 reporting areas showing ART use higher than the national rate. Of the four states (Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) with comprehensive statewide-mandated health insurance coverage for ART procedures (i.e., coverage for at least four cycles of IVF), three (Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) had rates of ART use exceeding 1.5 times the national rate. This type of mandated insurance has been associated with greater use of ART and likely accounts for some of the difference in per capita ART use observed among states.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION

Reducing the number of embryos transferred and increasing use of eSET when clinically appropriate could help reduce multiple births and related adverse health consequences. Because twins account for the majority of ART-conceived multiple births, improved provider practices and patient education and counseling on the maternal and infant health risks of having twins are needed. Although ART contributes to high percentages of multiple births, other factors not investigated in this report (e.g., delayed childbearing and use of non-ART fertility treatments) also contribute to multiple births and warrant further study.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Newborn Size in Singletons Resulting from Fresh and Cryopreserved Embryos Transfer

OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN

The aim of this study was two-fold: to investigate the association of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and small newborn size, using standardized measures; and to examine within strata of fresh and cryopreserved embryos transfer, whether this association is influenced by parental infertility diagnoses. We used a population-based retrospective cohort from Michigan (2000-2009), Florida and Massachusetts (2000-2010). Our sample included 28,946 ART singletons conceived with non-donor oocytes and 4,263,846 non-ART singletons.

METHODS

Regression models were used to examine the association of ART and newborn size, measured as small for gestational age (SGA) and birth-weight-z-score, among four mutually exclusive infertility groups: female infertility only, male infertility only, combined female and male infertility, and unexplained infertility, stratified by fresh and cryopreserved embryos transfer.

RESULTS

We found increased SGA odds among ART singletons from fresh embryos transfer compared with non-ART singletons, with little difference by infertility source [adjusted odds-ratio for SGA among female infertility only: 1.18 (95% CI 1.10, 1.26), male infertility only: 1.20 (95% CI 1.10, 1.32), male and female infertility: 1.18 (95% CI 1.06, 1.31) and unexplained infertility: 1.24 (95% CI 1.10, 1.38)]. Conversely, ART singletons, born following cryopreserved embryos transfer, had lower SGA odds compared with non-ART singletons, with mild variation by infertility source [adjusted odds-ratio for SGA among female infertility only: 0.56 (95% CI 0.45, 0.71), male infertility only: 0.64 (95% CI 0.47, 0.86), male and female infertility: 0.52 (95% CI 0.36, 0.77) and unexplained infertility: 0.71 (95% CI 0.47, 1.06)]. Birth-weight-z-score was significantly lower for ART singletons born following fresh embryos transfer than non-ART singletons, regardless of infertility diagnoses.

Factors predicting double embryo implantation following double embryo transfer in assisted reproductive technology: implications for elective single embryo transfer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with double embryo implantation following double embryo transfer (DET) during assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures and to evaluate the implications of findings in selecting candidates for elective single embryo transfer (eSET).

METHODS

Factors predicting double embryo implantation, defined as embryo transfers with two or more heartbeats on 6-week ultrasound following DET, were assessed using the US National ART Surveillance System data from 2000 to 2012 (n = 1,793,067 fresh, autologous transfers). Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) were estimated after stratifying by prognosis. Favorable prognosis was defined as first-time ART with supernumerary embryo(s) cryopreserved. Average prognosis was defined as first-time ART without supernumerary embryo(s) cryopreserved, prior unsuccessful ART with supernumerary embryo(s) cryopreserved, or prior ART with previous birth(s) conceived with ART or naturally. Rates and factors associated with double embryo implantation were compared with single embryo implantation following DET among both prognosis groups.

RESULTS

Double embryo implantation was positively associated with blastocyst (versus cleavage) transfer in favorable (aRR = 1.58 (1.51-1.65)) and average (aRR = 1.67 (1.60-1.75)) prognosis groups and negatively associated with age >35 years in both prognosis groups. For average prognosis patients, double embryo implantation was associated with retrieving >10 oocytes (aRR = 1.22 (1.18-1.24)).

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of prognosis, patients aged <35 years with blastocyst-stage embryos and average prognosis patients from whom >10 oocytes were retrieved may be good candidates for eSET. Physicians may consider using these data to counsel patients on eSET, which would reduce multiple gestations and associated complications.

Perinatal outcomes of singleton siblings: the effects of changing maternal fertility status

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of changing fertility status on perinatal outcomes of singleton siblings, conceived with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHOD

A longitudinal cohort study of Massachusetts resident women having two consecutive singleton births during 2004-2010 was performed. Women were classified as ART (A), subfertile (S), or fertile (F) and categorized by their fertility status in each birth as A-A, A-S, S-A, S-S, F-A, F-S, and F-F. Within categories, adjusted mean birthweights, gestations, and birthweight Z scores were estimated with linear generalized estimating equations. Risks of low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g), preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks), and placental complications were modeled using logistic regression by fertility status as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Birthweights in second pregnancies averaged 74-155 g higher, except for births to F-A women, who averaged -16 g lower. Most women had a reduction in length of gestation in their second pregnancies, with F-A women having the largest decline (-0.5 weeks). In first birth models, the risks for LBW and placental complications were increased for subfertile (AOR 1.39 [1.07-1.81] and 1.97 [1.33-2.93], respectively) and ART women (AOR 1.58 [1.29-1.93] and 3.40 [2.64-4.37], respectively). Second birth models showed increased risks for ART births of LBW (AOR 3.13 [2.19-4.48]) and placental complications (AOR 2.45 [1.56-3.86]) and greater risks of PTB for both ART (AOR 2.37 [1.74-3.23]) and subfertile women (AOR 1.47 [1.02-2.13]).

CONCLUSIONS

Declining fertility status, with and without assisted reproductive technology treatment, is associated with increasing risks for adverse outcomes, greatest for women whose fertility status declined the most.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Birth Defects Among Liveborn Infants in Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan, 2000-2010

IMPORTANCE

Use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been associated with increased risks for birth defects. Variations in birth defect risks according to type of ART procedure have been noted, but findings are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the prevalence of birth defects among liveborn infants conceived with and without ART and to evaluate risks associated with certain ART procedures among ART-conceived infants.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Used linked ART surveillance, birth certificates, and birth defects registry data for 3 states (Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan). Methods for ascertaining birth defect cases varied by state. Resident live births during 2000 to 2010 were included, and the analysis was conducted between Feburary 2015 and August 2015.

EXPOSURES

Use of ART among all live births and use of certain ART procedures among ART births.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

Prevalence of selected chromosomal and nonchromosomal birth defects that are usually diagnosed at or immediately after birth.

RESULTS

Of the 4 618 076 liveborn infants between 2000 and 2010, 64 861 (1.4%) were conceived using ART. Overall, the prevalence of 1 or more of the selected nonchromosomal defects was 58.59 per 10 000 for ART infants (n = 389) vs 47.50 per 10 000 for non-ART infants (n = 22 036). The association remained significant after adjusting for maternal characteristics and year of birth (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.28; 95% CI, 1.15-1.42). Similar differences were observed for singleton ART births vs their non-ART counterparts (63.69 per 10 000 [n = 218] vs 47.17 per 10 000 [n = 21 251]; aRR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.21-1.59). Among multiple births, the prevalence of rectal and large intestinal atresia/stenosis was higher for ART births compared with non-ART births (aRR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.38-4.12). Among ART births conceived after fresh embryo transfer, infants born to mothers with ovulation disorders had a higher prevalence of nonchromosomal birth defects (aRR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.13-2.06) than those born to mothers without the diagnosis, and use of assisted hatching was associated with birth defects among singleton births (aRR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.10-2.19). Multiplicity-adjusted P values for these associations were greater than .05.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Infants conceived after ART had a higher prevalence of certain birth defects. Assisted hatching and diagnosis of ovulation disorder were marginally associated with increased risks for nonchromosomal birth defects; however, these associations may be caused by other underlying factors.

Maternal Smoking Among Women With and Without Use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

OBJECTIVE

To estimate smoking prevalence during the year before pregnancy and during pregnancy and adverse outcomes among women who delivered infants with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART) using linked birth certificates (BC) and National ART Surveillance System (NASS) data.

METHODS

Data were analyzed for 384,390 women and 392,248 infants born in Massachusetts and Michigan during 2008-2009. Maternal smoking prevalence was estimated using smoking indicated from BC by ART status. For ART users, to evaluate underreporting, prepregnancy smoking was estimated from BC, NASS, or both sources. Effect of prenatal smoking on preterm and mean birthweight (term only) for singleton infants were examined by ART status.

RESULTS

Maternal smoking prevalence estimates were significantly lower for ART users than nonusers (prepregnancy = 3.2% vs. 16.7%; prenatal = 1.0% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.05). When combining smoking information from BC and NASS, prepregnancy smoking prevalence estimates for ART users could be as high as 4.4% to 6.1%. Adverse effects of smoking on infant outcomes in ART pregnancies were consistent with the effects seen in non-ART pregnancies, specifically decline in infant birthweight and increase in preterm delivery, although association between smoking and preterm was not significant.

CONCLUSION

A low, but substantial proportion of ART users smoked before and during pregnancy. As ART users are highly motivated to get pregnant, it should be clearly communicated that smoking can decrease fertility and adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. Continued efforts are needed to encourage smoking cessation and maintain tobacco abstinence among all women of reproductive age.

Assisted reproductive technology and perinatal outcomes: conventional versus discordant-sibling design

OBJECTIVE

To compare risks of adverse perinatal outcomes between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and naturally conceived singleton births using a dual design approach.

DESIGN

Discordant-sibling and conventional cross-sectional general population comparison.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

All singleton live births, conceived naturally or via ART.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Birth weight, gestational age, low birth weight, preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), low Apgar score.

RESULT(S)

A total of 32,762 (0.8%) of 3,896,242 singleton live births in the three states were conceived via ART. In 6,458 sibling pairs, ART-conceived singletons were 33 g lighter (adjusted β = -33.40, 95% confidence interval [CI], -48.60, -18.21) and born half a day sooner (β = -0.58, 95% CI, -1.02, -0.14) than singletons conceived naturally. The absolute risk of low birth weight and preterm birth was 6.8% and 9.7%, respectively, in the ART group and 4.9% and 7.9%, respectively, in the non-ART group. The odds of low birth weight were 33% higher (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13, 1.56) and 20% higher for preterm birth (aOR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07, 1.34). The odds of SGA and low Apgar score were not significantly different in both groups (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI, 0.88, 1.68; and aOR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.54, 1.05, respectively). Results of conventional analyses were similar, although the magnitude of risk was higher for preterm birth (aOR, 1.51; 95% CI 1.46, 1.56).

CONCLUSION(S)

Despite some inflated risks in the general population comparison, ART remained associated with an increased likelihood of low birth weight and preterm birth when underlying maternal factors were kept constant using discordant-sibling comparison.

The Impact of ART on Live Birth Outcomes: Differing Experiences across Three States

BACKGROUND

Research has shown an association between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and adverse birth outcomes. We identified whether birth outcomes of ART-conceived pregnancies vary across states with different maternal characteristics, insurance coverage for ART services, and type of ART services provided.

METHODS

CDC's National ART Surveillance System data were linked to Massachusetts, Florida, and Michigan vital records from 2000 through 2006. Maternal characteristics in ART- and non-ART-conceived live births were compared between states using chi-square tests. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses and calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to assess associations between ART use and singleton preterm delivery (<32 weeks, <37 weeks), singleton small for gestational age (SGA) (<5th and <10th percentiles) and multiple birth.

RESULTS

ART use in Massachusetts was associated with significantly lower odds of twins as well as triplets and higher order births compared to Florida and Michigan (aOR 22.6 vs. 30.0 and 26.3, and aOR 37.6 vs. 92.8 and 99.2, respectively; Pinteraction < 0.001). ART use was associated with increased odds of SGA in Michigan only, and with preterm delivery (<32 and <37 weeks) in all states (aOR range: 1.60, 1.87).

CONCLUSIONS

ART use was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery among singletons that showed little variability between states. The number of twins, triplets and higher order gestations per cycle was lower in Massachusetts, which may be due to the availability of insurance coverage for ART in Massachusetts.

Antenatal Hospitalizations Among Pregnancies Conceived With and Without Assisted Reproductive Technology

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of antenatal hospitalizations, compare characteristics of women with and without antenatal hospitalizations, and compare timing, length of stay, and reason for hospitalization among pregnancies conceived with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis using linked ART surveillance, vital records, and hospital discharge data from Michigan to calculate the hospitalization ratio as the number of antenatal admissions per 100 live birth deliveries for ART and non-ART deliveries during 2004-2012 and compare trends by ART status. We then restricted analysis to 2008-2012 and used logistic, multinomial, and Poisson regression analysis to model antenatal admissions, trimester of admission, and length of stay, respectively, for ART compared with non-ART deliveries. We examined reason for hospitalization by ART status.

RESULTS

Between 2004 and 2012, the hospitalization ratio for ART deliveries decreased from 14.6 to 12.3 per 100 deliveries (P<.001). Of 557,708 live deliveries during 2008-2012, 22,763 (4.1%) had an antenatal hospitalization. Assisted reproductive technology was a risk factor for having any antenatal admission (singletons adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-1.83; multiples adjusted RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.38) and two or more admissions (singletons adjusted RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.25-2.75; multiples adjusted RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.14-1.54). The percent of time (days) hospitalized during the antenatal period was greater for ART deliveries than non-ART deliveries (singleton adjusted RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.09-1.51; multiples adjusted RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29). The most common reason for antenatal admission was preterm labor among all non-ART and multiple gestation deliveries and vaginal bleeding among ART singleton gestations.

CONCLUSION

Deliveries after ART were associated with increased risk of antenatal admissions and longer hospitalizations compared with non-ART deliveries.

Is the wrong question being asked in infertility research?

A persistent finding is that assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with compromised birth outcomes, including higher risks for prematurity, low birthweight, and congenital malformations, even among singletons. Over the past decade, our research group, the Massachusetts Outcome Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology (MOSART), has evaluated pregnancy and birth outcomes among three groups of women, those women treated with ART, those with indicators of subfertility but without ART treatment, and fertile women. We have also explored the influence of infertility-related diagnoses on outcomes for women and infants. Over the course of our research, we have changed our perspective from an original focus on ART treatment parameters as the primary cause of excess morbidity to one centered instead on the underlying infertility-related diagnoses. This paper summarizes the research findings from our group that support this change in focus for infertility-based research from a primary emphasis on ART treatment to greater attention to the contribution of preexisting pathology underlying the infertility and suggests directions for future analyses.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance - United States, 2013

PROBLEM/CONDITION

Since the first U.S. infant conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) was born in 1981, both the use of ART and the number of fertility clinics providing ART services have increased steadily in the United States. ART includes fertility treatments in which eggs or embryos are handled in the laboratory (i.e., in vitro fertilization [IVF] and related procedures). Women who undergo ART procedures are more likely than women who conceive naturally to deliver multiple-birth infants. Multiple births pose substantial risks to both mothers and infants, including obstetric complications, preterm delivery, and low birthweight infants. This report provides state-specific information for the United States (including Puerto Rico) on ART procedures performed in 2013 and compares infant outcomes that occurred in 2013 (resulting from ART procedures performed in 2012 and 2013) with outcomes for all infants born in the United States in 2013.

REPORTING PERIOD COVERED

2013.

DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM

In 1996, CDC began collecting data on ART procedures performed in fertility clinics in the United States as mandated by the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992 (FCSRCA) (Public Law 102-493). Data are collected through the National ART Surveillance System (NASS), a web-based data collection system developed by CDC. This report includes data from 52 reporting areas (the 50 states, the District of Columbia [DC], and Puerto Rico).

RESULTS

In 2013, a total of 160,521 ART procedures (range: 109 in Wyoming to 20,299 in California) with the intent to transfer at least one embryo were performed in 467 U.S. fertility clinics and were reported to CDC. These procedures resulted in 53,252 live-birth deliveries (range: 47 in Alaska to 6,979 in California) and 66,691 infants (range: 61 in Alaska to 8,649 in California). Nationally, the total number of ART procedures performed per million women of reproductive age (15-44 years), a proxy measure of the ART usage rate, was 2,521 (range: 352 in Puerto Rico to 7,688 in DC). ART use exceeded the national rate in 13 reporting areas (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and DC). Nationally, among ART transfer procedures in patients using fresh embryos from their own eggs, the average number of embryos transferred increased with increasing age of the woman (1.8 among women aged <35 years, 2.0 among women aged 35-37 years, and 2.5 among women aged >37 years). Among women aged <35 years, who typically are considered to be good candidates for elective single embryo transfer (eSET) procedures, the national eSET rate was 21.4% (range: 4.0% in Idaho to 77.5% in Delaware). In 2013, ART contributed to 1.6% of all infants born in the United States (range: 0.2% in Puerto Rico to 4.8% in Massachusetts) and 18.7% of all multiple-birth infants (range: 4.5% in Puerto Rico to 35.7% in Massachusetts), including 18.5% of all twin infants (range: 4.5% in Mississippi to 35.3% in Massachusetts) and 25.2% of all triplet and higher-order infants (range: 0% in several reporting areas to 51.5% in New Jersey). Multiple-birth deliveries were higher among infants conceived with ART (41.1%; range: 20.4% in Delaware to 61.6% in Wyoming) than among all infants born in the total birth population (only 3.5%; range: 1.8% in Puerto Rico to 4.5% in Massachusetts and New Jersey). Approximately 39% of ART-conceived infants were twin infants, and 2% were triplet and higher-order infants. ART-conceived twins accounted for approximately 95.4% of all ART-conceived infants born in multiple deliveries. Nationally, infants conceived with ART contributed to 5.8% of all low birthweight (<2,500 grams) infants (range: 0.9% in Puerto Rico to 15.1% in Massachusetts). Among ART-conceived infants, 29.1% were low birthweight (range: 18.3% in Delaware to 42.6% in Louisiana), compared with 8.0% among all infants (range: 5.8% in Alaska to 11.5% in Mississippi). ART-conceived infants contributed to 4.6% of all preterm (<37 weeks) infants (range: 0.6% in Puerto Rico to 13.3% in Massachusetts). Preterm birth rates were higher among infants conceived with ART (33.6%; range: 22.3% in DC to 50.7% in Louisiana) than among all infants born in the total birth population (11.4%; range: 8.8% in California to 16.6% in Mississippi). The percentage of ART-conceived infants who were low birthweight was 9.0% (range: 5.1% in Mississippi to 19.7% in Puerto Rico) among singletons and 56.3% (range: 48.3% in Maine to 72.4% in Puerto Rico) among twins; the corresponding percentages among all infants born were 6.3% for singletons (range: 4.6% in Alaska to 9.6% in Mississippi and Puerto Rico) and 55.3% for twins (range: 43.6% in Alaska to 65.6% in Mississippi). The percentage of ART-conceived infants who were preterm varied from 13.3% (range: 8.7% in Rhode Island to 26.9% in West Virginia) among singletons to 61.0% (range: 47.8% in DC to 78.8% in Oklahoma) among twins; the corresponding percentages among all infants were 10.1% for singletons (range: 6.8% in Vermont to 14.8% in Mississippi) and 56.6% for twins (range: 44.7% in New Hampshire to 68.9% in Louisiana).

INTERPRETATION

The percentage of infants conceived with ART varied considerably by reporting area. In most reporting areas, multiple births from ART contributed to a substantial proportion of all twins, triplets, and higher-order infants born, and the low birthweight and preterm infant birth rates were disproportionately higher among ART-conceived infants than among the overall birth population. Although women aged <35 years are typically considered good candidates for eSET, on average two embryos were transferred per ART procedure with women in this group, increasing the overall multiple-birth rates in the United States. Compared with ART-conceived singletons, ART-conceived twins were approximately four-and-a-half times more likely to be born preterm, and approximately six times more likely to be born with low birthweight. Singleton infants conceived with ART had slightly higher rates of preterm delivery and low birthweight than all singleton infants born in the United States. ART use per population unit was geographically variable, with 13 reporting areas showing ART use above the national rate. Of the four states (Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) with comprehensive statewide-mandated health insurance coverage for ART procedures (i.e., coverage for at least four cycles of IVF), two states (Massachusetts and New Jersey) had rates of ART use exceeding twice the national level. This type of mandated insurance has been associated with greater use of ART and likely accounts for some of the difference in per capita ART use observed among states.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Reducing the number of embryos transferred per ART procedure and increasing use of eSET, when clinically appropriate (typically for women aged <35 years), could help reduce multiple births, particularly ART-conceived twin infants, and related adverse consequences of ART. Because twins account for the majority of ART-conceived multiple births, improved patient education and counseling on the maternal and infant health risks of having twins is needed. Although ART contributes to high rates of multiple births, other factors not investigated in this report (e.g., delayed childbearing and non-ART fertility treatments) also contribute to multiple births and warrant further study.

The MOSART database: linking the SART CORS clinical database to the population-based Massachusetts PELL reproductive public health data system

Although Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) births make up 1.6 % of births in the US, the impact of ART on subsequent infant and maternal health is not well understood. Clinical ART treatment records linked to population data would be a powerful tool to study long term outcomes among those treated or not by ART. This paper describes the development of a database intended to accomplish this task. We constructed the Massachusetts Outcomes Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology (MOSART) database by linking the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies Clinical Outcomes Reporting System (SART CORS) and the Massachusetts (MA) Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal (PELL) data systems for children born to MA resident women at MA hospitals between July 2004 and December 2008. PELL data representing 282,971 individual women and their 334,152 deliveries and 342,035 total births were linked with 48,578 cycles of ART treatment in SART CORS delivered to MA residents or women receiving treatment in MA clinics, representing 18,439 eligible women of whom 9,326 had 10,138 deliveries in this time period. A deterministic five phase linkage algorithm methodology was employed. Linkage results, accuracy, and concordance analyses were examined. We linked 9,092 (89.7 %) SART CORS outcome records to PELL delivery records overall, including 95.0 % among known MA residents treated in MA clinics; 70.8 % with full exact matches. There were minimal differences between matched and unmatched delivery records, except for unknown residency and out-of-state ART site. There was very low concordance of reported use of ART treatment between SART CORS and PELL (birth certificate) data. A total of 3.4 % of MA children (11,729) were identified from ART assisted pregnancies (6,556 singletons; 5,173 multiples). The MOSART linked database provides a strong basis for further longitudinal ART outcomes studies and supports the continued development of potentially powerful linked clinical-public health databases.

Outcomes of surrogate pregnancies in California and hospital economics of surrogate maternity and newborn care

AIM: To describe maternity and newborn charges for an economic analysis of surrogate pregnancies on the health care resource utilization.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all women identified as being surrogates and the infants born from these pregnancies was performed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. Selected maternity diagnoses, mode of delivery, duration of hospitalization, and hospital charges were collected together with infants’ birth weights, gestational age, length of hospital stay, and hospital charges. Charges associated with the in vitro fertilization cycles, artificial insemination, or embryo(s) transfer into the surrogate were not considered in the maternity charges. A ratio contrasting the maternity hospital charges for the surrogate carrier was compared as a ratio to the mean charges for 2540 infants delivered in 2013 after natural conception and adjusted to the baseline hospital charges for both maternity and newborn care.

RESULTS: Analysis of sixty-nine infants delivered from both gestational and traditional surrogate women found an increased in multiple births, NICU admission, and length of stay with hospital charges several multiples beyond that of a term infant conceived naturally and provided care in our nursery. Among singletons and twins (per infant) hospital charges were increased 26 times (P < 0.001) and in triplets charges were increased 173 times (P < 0.0001) when compared to a term infant provided care in a normal nursery at our center.

CONCLUSION: Maternity costs for surrogates exceed those of women who conceive naturally, and these costs are especially magnified in women with triplets and multiple births.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization: effect of number of embryos transferred and plurality at conception

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes by number of embryos transferred (ET) and fetal heartbeats (FHB) in assisted reproductive technology-conceived singleton live births.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort using cycles reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcomes Reporting System between 2004 and 2008 among women who were treated and gave birth in Massachusetts.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

Assisted reproductive technology data on 6,073 births between 2004 and 2008 were linked to vital records and hospital data. Likelihood of ET ≥3 vs. 1-2, FHB >1 vs. 1, and risks of preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks' gestation), low birth weight (LBW, <2,500 g), and small-for-gestational-age birth weight (SGA, <10th percentile) with FHB >1 were modeled with binary logistic regression using a backward-stepping algorithm, and presented as adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals).

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

ET ≥3, FHB >1, PTB, LBW, and SGA.

RESULT(S)

Higher ET was significantly more likely with older maternal age, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, assisted hatching, cleavage-stage embryos, and thawed embryos. The likelihood of FHB >1 with ≥3 ET vs. 1-2 ET was 2.04 (1.68-2.48). Risks of PTB and LBW with FHB >1 were 1.63 (1.27-2.09) and 1.81 (1.36-2.39), respectively; the risk of SGA was not significant. Nulliparity was associated with higher risks of PTB (1.34 [1.12-1.59]), LBW (1.48 [1.20-1.83]), and SGA (2.17 [1.69-2.78]).

CONCLUSION(S)

Number of embryos transferred was strongly associated with FHBs, with twice the risk of FHB >1 with ≥3 ET vs. 1-2 ET. Increasing FHBs were associated with significantly greater risks for PTB and LBW outcomes.

Embryo transfer practices and perinatal outcomes by insurance mandate status

OBJECTIVE

To use linked assisted reproductive technology (ART) surveillance and birth certificate data to compare ET practices and perinatal outcomes for a state with a comprehensive mandate requiring coverage of IVF services versus states without a mandate.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

Live-birth deliveries ascertained from linked 2007-2009 National ART Surveillance System and birth certificate data for a state with an insurance mandate (Massachusetts) and two states without a mandate (Florida and Michigan).

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Number of embryos transferred, multiple births, low birth weight, preterm delivery.

RESULT(S)

Of the 230,038 deliveries in the mandate state and 1,026,804 deliveries in the nonmandate states, 6,651 (2.9%) and 8,417 (0.8%), respectively, were conceived by ART. Transfer of three or more embryos was more common in nonmandate states, although the effect was attenuated for women 35 years or older (33.6% vs. 39.7%; adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.81) versus women younger than 35 (7.0% vs. 26.9%; adjusted RR, 4.18; 95% CI, 2.74-6.36). Lack of an insurance mandate was positively associated with triplet/higher order deliveries (1.0% vs. 2.3%; adjusted RR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.81-3.28), preterm delivery (22.6% vs. 30.7%; adjusted RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.20-1.42), and low birth weight (22.3% vs. 29.5%; adjusted RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.17-1.40).

CONCLUSION(S)

Compared with nonmandate states, the mandate state had higher overall rates of ART use. Among ART births, lack of an infertility insurance mandate was associated with increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes.

Estimates of lifetime infertility from three states: the behavioral risk factor surveillance system

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of state-specific infertility is limited. The objectives of this study were to explore state-specific estimates of lifetime prevalence of having ever experienced infertility, sought treatment for infertility, types of treatments sought, and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Male and female adult residents aged 18-50 years from three states involved in the States Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology Collaborative (Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan) were asked state-added infertility questions as part of the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based, health-related telephone survey. Analysis involved estimation of lifetime prevalence of infertility.

RESULTS

The estimated lifetime prevalence of infertility among 1,285 adults in Florida, 1,302 in Massachusetts, and 3,360 in Michigan was 9.7%, 6.0%, and 4.2%, respectively. Among 736 adults in Florida, 1,246 in Massachusetts, and 2,742 in Michigan that have ever tried to get pregnant, the lifetime infertility prevalence was 25.3% in Florida, 9.9% in Massachusetts, and 5.8% in Michigan. Among those with a history of infertility, over half sought treatment (60.7% in Florida, 70.6% in Massachusetts, and 51.6% in Michigan), the most common being non-assisted reproductive technology fertility treatments (61.3% in Florida, 66.0% in Massachusetts, and 75.9% in Michigan).

CONCLUSION

State-specific estimates of lifetime infertility prevalence in Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan varied. Variations across states are difficult to interpret, as they likely reflect both true differences in prevalence and differences in data collection questionnaires. State-specific estimates are needed for the prevention, detection, and management of infertility, but estimates should be based on a common set of questions appropriate for these goals.

Assisted reproductive technology and the risk of preterm birth among primiparas

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk of preterm birth among liveborn singletons to primiparas who conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) using four mutually exclusive categories of infertility (female infertility only, male infertility only, female and male infertility, and unexplained infertility) and to examine preterm birth risk along the gestational age continuum.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

Singletons born to primiparas who conceived with or without ART.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Preterm (<37 weeks' gestation) and preterm/early term birth <39 weeks' gestation).

RESULT(S)

For the male infertility only, female infertility only, combined male and female infertility, and unexplained infertility groups, ART-conceived singletons were significantly more likely than non-ART singletons to be born preterm: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.24 (95% CI, 1.13, 1.37), aOR 1.60 (95% CI, 1.50, 1.70), aOR 1.49 (95% CI, 1.35, 1.64), and aOR 1.26 (1.12, 1.43) respectively. Among infants whose mothers were diagnosed with infertility, the odds of preterm birth were highest between 28-30 weeks [female infertility only, aOR 1.95 (95% CI, 1.59, 2.39); male and female infertility: 2.21 (95% CI, 1.62, 3.00)] compared with infants in the general population. Within the ART population, singletons of couples with female infertility only were more likely to be born preterm than singletons born to couples with other infertility diagnoses.

CONCLUSION(S)

Among singleton births to primiparas, those conceived with ART had an increased risk for preterm birth, even when only the male partner had been diagnosed with infertility. The risk of preterm birth for ART-conceived infants whose mothers were diagnosed with infertility included the earliest deliveries.

Association of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment and parental infertility diagnosis with autism in ART-conceived children

STUDY QUESTION

Are assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment factors or infertility diagnoses associated with autism among ART-conceived children?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Our study suggests that the incidence of autism diagnosis in ART-conceived children during the first 5 years of life was higher when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used compared with conventional IVF, and lower when parents had unexplained infertility (among singletons) or tubal factor infertility (among multiples) compared with other types of infertility.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Some studies found an increased risk of autism among ART-conceived infants compared with spontaneously-conceived infants. However, few studies, and none in the USA, have examined the associations between types of ART procedures and parental infertility diagnoses with autism among ART-conceived children.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Population-based retrospective cohort study using linkages between National ART Surveillance System (NASS) data for 1996-2006, California Birth Certificate data for 1997-2006, and California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Autism Caseload data for 1997-2011.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

All live born ART-conceived infants born in California in 1997-2006 (n = 42 383) with 5-year observation period were included in the study. We assessed the annual incidence of autism diagnosis documented in DDS, which includes information on the vast majority of persons with autism in California, and the association of autism diagnosis with ART treatment factors and infertility diagnoses.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Among ART-conceived singletons born in California between 1997 and 2006, the incidence of autism diagnosis remained at ∼0.8% (P for trend 0.19) and was lower with parental diagnosis of unexplained infertility (adjusted hazard risk ratio [aHRR]; 95% confidence interval: 0.38; 0.15-0.94) and higher when ICSI was used (aHRR 1.65; 1.08-2.52), when compared with cases without these patient and treatment characteristics. Among ART-conceived multiples, the incidence of autism diagnosis between 1997 and 2006 remained at ∼1.2% (P for trend 0.93) and was lower with parental diagnosis of tubal factor infertility (aHRR 0.56; 0.35-0.90) and higher when ICSI was used (aHRR 1.71; 1.10-2.66).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Study limitations include imperfect data linkages, lack of data on embryo quality and possible underestimation of autism diagnosis cases. Limitations of the observational study design could affect the analysis by the possibility of residual confounders. Since information about ICSI use was missing for most frozen/thawed embryo transfer cycles, our findings of association of ICSI use and autism diagnosis can only be generalizable to fresh embryo transfer cycles.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our study provides additional evidence of the association between some types of ART procedures with autism diagnosis. Additional research is required to explain the increased risk of autism diagnosis with ICSI use, as well as studies on the effectiveness and safety of ICSI.

Assisted reproduction: Ethical and legal issues

Since inception, the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has been accompanied by ethical, legal, and societal controversies. Guidelines have been developed to address many of these concerns; however, the rapid evolution of ART requires their frequent re-evaluation. We review the literature on ethical and legal aspects of ART, highlighting some of the most visible and challenging topics. Of specific interest are: reporting of ART procedures and outcomes; accessibility to ART procedures; issues related to fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic testing, gamete and embryo donation, and reproductive outcomes after embryo transfer. Improvements in ART reporting are needed nationally and worldwide. Reporting should include outcomes that enable patients to make informed decisions. Improving access to ART and optimizing long-term reproductive outcomes, while taking into account the legal and ethical consequences, are challenges that need to be addressed by the entire community of individuals involved in ART with the assistance of bioethicists, legal counselors, and members of society in general.

Impact of ART on pregnancies in California: an analysis of maternity outcomes and insights into the added burden of neonatal intensive care

OBJECTIVE

We reviewed the occurrence of prematurity, low birth weight, multiple gestations, frequency of stillbirths and maternity care-associated variables including hospital stay and hospital charges of women conceiving using assisted reproductive technology (ART) or artificial insemination (AI) compared with women with a history of infertility who conceived naturally, and all other naturally conceived pregnancies in California at non-federal hospitals between 2009 and 2011. At a single center, infants born after ART/AI were compared with infants provided care in the normal nursery.

STUDY DESIGN

Publically available inpatient data sets from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for years 2009-2011 using data from all California non-federal hospitals were used to determine the impact of ART on a variety of pregnancy-related outcomes and infant characteristics. Infant data from a single center was used to determine hospital charges for infants delivered over an 18-month period to compare the hospital and physician charges indexed to similar charges for infants admitted to the 'normal' newborn nursery.

RESULT

Among ART/AI pregnancies, there was a 4-5-fold increase in stillbirths, compared with a 2-3-fold increase among women with infertility compared with other naturally conceiving women. ART/AI pregnancies underwent more cesarean sections (fourfold), and a near fourfold increase in the rate of preterm deliveries. Multiple gestations were increased 24-27-fold compared with naturally conceived pregnancies. Maternal hospital stay and hospital charges were increased among those undergoing ART/AI. Infant charges were increased multi-fold for singletons, twins and triplets delivered after ART/AI compared with naturally conceived infants.

CONCLUSION

Multiple births, preterm births and a higher overall rate of fetal anomalies were found in California after ART/AI for 2009-2011. Cesarean section rates, longer length of maternal stay and hospital charges among women receiving ART/AI could be lowered if emphasis on elective single embryo transfers was a higher priority among providers. Charges for the care of infants delivered after ART/AI are substantially higher than among naturally conceived infants born late preterm or at term. Families seeking ART/AI need to be informed of the impact of these adverse pregnancy outcomes, including neonatal outcomes and charges for medical care for their infant(s), when considering ART/AI.

Impact of ART on pregnancies in California: an analysis of maternity outcomes and insights into the added burden of neonatal intensive care

OBJECTIVE

We reviewed the occurrence of prematurity, low birth weight, multiple gestations, frequency of stillbirths and maternity care-associated variables including hospital stay and hospital charges of women conceiving using assisted reproductive technology (ART) or artificial insemination (AI) compared with women with a history of infertility who conceived naturally, and all other naturally conceived pregnancies in California at non-federal hospitals between 2009 and 2011. At a single center, infants born after ART/AI were compared with infants provided care in the normal nursery.

STUDY DESIGN

Publically available inpatient data sets from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for years 2009-2011 using data from all California non-federal hospitals were used to determine the impact of ART on a variety of pregnancy-related outcomes and infant characteristics. Infant data from a single center was used to determine hospital charges for infants delivered over an 18-month period to compare the hospital and physician charges indexed to similar charges for infants admitted to the 'normal' newborn nursery.

RESULT

Among ART/AI pregnancies, there was a 4-5-fold increase in stillbirths, compared with a 2-3-fold increase among women with infertility compared with other naturally conceiving women. ART/AI pregnancies underwent more cesarean sections (fourfold), and a near fourfold increase in the rate of preterm deliveries. Multiple gestations were increased 24-27-fold compared with naturally conceived pregnancies. Maternal hospital stay and hospital charges were increased among those undergoing ART/AI. Infant charges were increased multi-fold for singletons, twins and triplets delivered after ART/AI compared with naturally conceived infants.

CONCLUSION

Multiple births, preterm births and a higher overall rate of fetal anomalies were found in California after ART/AI for 2009-2011. Cesarean section rates, longer length of maternal stay and hospital charges among women receiving ART/AI could be lowered if emphasis on elective single embryo transfers was a higher priority among providers. Charges for the care of infants delivered after ART/AI are substantially higher than among naturally conceived infants born late preterm or at term. Families seeking ART/AI need to be informed of the impact of these adverse pregnancy outcomes, including neonatal outcomes and charges for medical care for their infant(s), when considering ART/AI.

Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes after assisted reproductive technology by infertility diagnosis: ovulatory dysfunction versus tubal obstruction

OBJECTIVE

To examine differences in maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between women with ovulatory dysfunction (OD) and women with tubal obstruction (TO) who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

PATIENT(S)

Exposed and nonexposed groups were selected from the 2000-2006 National ART Surveillance System linked with live-birth certificates from three states: Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes, including newborn's health status right after delivery (Apgar score, <7 vs. ≥ 7) as the study outcome of interest, were assessed among women with OD/polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and TO who used ART.

RESULT(S)

A significantly higher prevalence of women with OD/PCOS were younger (<35 years of age; 65.7% vs. 48.9%), were white (85.4% vs. 74.4%), had higher education (29.4% vs. 15.6%), and experienced diabetes (8.8% vs. 5.3%) compared with those having TO. The odds of having a lower (<7) Apgar score at 5 minutes were almost twice as high among newborns of women with OD/PCOS compared with those with TO (crude odds ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31, 2.64; adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.30, 2.77).

CONCLUSION(S)

Women with OD/PCOS who underwent ART have different characteristics and health issues (higher prevalence of diabetes) and infant outcomes (lower Apgar score) compared with women with TO.

Identifying women with indicators of subfertility in a statewide population database: operationalizing the missing link in assisted reproductive technology research

OBJECTIVE

To identify a group of deliveries to mothers with indicators of subfertility (SUBFERTILITY).

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

Hospital.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 334,152 deliveries to Massachusetts mothers in a Massachusetts hospital between July 1, 2004, and December 31, 2008.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Subfertility was defined by an indication on a current or past birth certificate or hospital utilization data of infertility or assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle before index delivery and no indication of ART use with index delivery.

RESULT(S)

Initially, 12,367 deliveries met the inclusion criteria for SUBFERTILITY (8,019 from birth certificates, 2,777 from hospital data, 1,571 from prior ART treatment). Removing deliveries from more than one data source resulted in 10,764 unique deliveries. Removing deliveries resulting from ART treatments left 6,238 deliveries in the SUBFERTILITY category. Demographic analysis indicated that deliveries in SUBFERTILITY were more similar to those in the ART population than to those in the fertile population.

CONCLUSION(S)

We have demonstrated the feasibility of using existing population-based linked public health data sets to identify SUBFERTILITY deliveries, and we have used ART data to distinguish ART and SUBFERTILITY births. The SUBFERTILITY category can serve as a comparison group of subfertile patients for studies of ART delivery and longitudinal health outcomes.