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Congenital anomalies and other perinatal outcomes in ICSI vs. naturally conceived pregnancies: a comparative study

  • ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
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Abstract

Background

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures have become accepted worldwide and their effect on society is well-known. However, the full extent of the possible complications of these procedures on maternal and neonatal outcome is still unclear.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective case controlled study from January 2003 to December 2007 which compared 253 women that had conceived using assisted reproduction (ICSI) and delivered 327 children at our center (study group) with a matched group of 349 women who naturally conceived and delivered 354 children at Abha General Hospital (control group) during the same period. The obstetrical and neonatal characteristics of the women and their children were assessed to determine any significant differences between the groups.

Results

The number of gestations per pregnancy (1.34 ± 0.57 vs. 1.01 ± 0.12) and number of children born per woman (1.28 ± 0.49 vs. 1.01 ± 0.12) was significantly higher in the ICSI group (p < 0.001). In addition, the gestational age at delivery (37.23 ± 2.68 vs. 38.56 ± 1.89) was significantly shorter in the ICSI group (p < 0.001) and this led to an increased number of obstetrical interventions, as well as the incidence of cesarean deliveries. Examination of the new-born children revealed similar incidence of congenital anomalies in both groups.

Conclusion

ICSI conceived pregnancies were characterized by an increased number of gestations and live-born, and there was no increase in congenital malformations compared to naturally conceived pregnancies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Depatment of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

    Suliman Al-Fifi & Ali Al-Binali

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha, Saudi Arabia

    Mesfer Al-Shahrani, Mohamad Bahar, Mona Almushait, Lukanle Sobandi & Mamdoh Eskandar

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abha Maternity Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia

    Hajra Shafiq

Authors
  1. Suliman Al-Fifi
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  2. Ali Al-Binali
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  3. Mesfer Al-Shahrani
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  4. Hajra Shafiq
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  5. Mohamad Bahar
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  6. Mona Almushait
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  7. Lukanle Sobandi
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  8. Mamdoh Eskandar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mamdoh Eskandar.

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Al-Fifi, S., Al-Binali, A., Al-Shahrani, M. et al. Congenital anomalies and other perinatal outcomes in ICSI vs. naturally conceived pregnancies: a comparative study. J Assist Reprod Genet 26, 377–381 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9329-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9329-3

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