Etiological evaluation of repeated biochemical pregnancy in infertile couples who have undergone in vitro fertilization.
10.5468/ogs.2017.60.6.565
- Author:
Hyun Mi LEE
1
;
Hwa Jeong LEE
;
Kwang Moon YANG
;
Sun Hwa CHA
;
Hyun Kyong AHN
;
Young Joo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Biochemical phenomena;
Pregnancy;
Habitual abortion;
Etiology;
In vitro fertilization
- MeSH:
Abortion, Habitual;
Abortion, Spontaneous;
Biochemical Phenomena;
Chorionic Gonadotropin;
Chromosome Aberrations;
Family Characteristics*;
Female;
Fertilization in Vitro*;
Gestational Sac;
Humans;
Immunologic Factors;
In Vitro Techniques*;
Incidence;
Karyotype;
Ovarian Reserve;
Parents;
Pregnancy Outcome;
Pregnancy*;
Pregnancy, Ectopic;
Pregnant Women;
Uterus
- From:Obstetrics & Gynecology Science
2017;60(6):565-570
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether there are any notable etiologies for repeated biochemical pregnancy (RBP) and, if so, to compare those etiologies associated with repeated spontaneous abortion in infertile couples who have undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: Forty-four infertile couples who underwent IVF and experienced RBP were included in this study. RBP was defined as more than 2 early pregnancy losses that occurred before the detection of a gestational sac, with ectopic pregnancies specifically excluded by serial serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin evaluation. Forty-three infertile couples who underwent IVF and experienced recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) were included as a control group. Karyotype analysis, anatomic evaluation of uterus, endocrine and immunological evaluation were performed. In addition, the number of pregnant women confirmed by 12 weeks' gestation was compared between groups. RESULTS: Immunological factors (RSA: 20.9% vs. RBP: 29.5%, P=0.361), diminished ovarian reserve (RSA: 10.9% vs. RBP: 17%, P=0.552), and parental chromosomal abnormalities (RSA: 18.6% vs. RBP: 9.1%, P=0.218) were not different between groups. Additionally, the incidence of uterine factors (RSA: 11.6% vs. RBP: 4.6%, P=0.206), unknown cause (RSA: 48.8% vs. RBP: 54.5%, P=0.161), and the pregnancy outcome identified until 12 weeks' gestation (RSA: 46.5% vs. RBP: 38.6%, P=0.520) did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the causes of RBP after IVF were similar to those of RSA. Accordingly, we suggest that efforts should be made to define the etiology of RBP, particularly for infertile couples, and that possible management strategies should be offered.