Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine  2014;41(3):140-145

doi:10.5653/cerm.2014.41.3.140

Spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome following a thawed embryo transfer cycle.

Mi Kyoung KIM 1 ; Hyung Jae WON ; Sung Han SHIM ; Dong Hyun CHA ; Tae Ki YOON

Affiliations

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Keywords

Cryopreservation; In vitro fertilization; Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

This article reports a case of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) following a thawed embryo transfer cycle. OHSS, a potentially life-threatening condition, is an iatrogenic complication of controlled ovarian stimulation; therefore, it is very important to prevent and treat OHSS during treatment with ovulation-inducing agents. Despite our efforts to prevent OHSS, in this case, severe spontaneous OHSS occurred, which resulted in uncontrolled preterm labor and a preterm delivery and also persisted for 6 weeks after delivery. Freezing all embryos cannot entirely prevent the development of OHSS because OHSS can occur spontaneously. Although spontaneous OHSS remains a rare event, females with a history of OHSS may have an elevated risk for spontaneous OHSS. We suggest closely monitoring cases of pregnancy following thawed embryo transfer for early diagnosis of spontaneous OHSS and the use of conservative management.