Perinatal Outcome of Singletons Born after Using a Simplified Low-Cost IVF Culture System and All Singletons Born in Flanders (Belgium) between 2012 and 2020

Abstract

Background: We developed a simplified IVF culture system (SCS) which has proven to be effective and safe in a selected IVF cohort. Methods: Preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) of 175 singletons born after using the SCS, 104 after fresh embryo transfer (ET), and 71 after frozen embryo transfer, were compared with all singletons born in Flanders between 2012 and 2020 conceived after natural conception, ovarian stimulation (OS), and assisted reproduction (IVF/ICSI). Findings: The proportion of preterm (<37 weeks) births was significantly higher in the case of IVF or ICSI, followed by hormonal treatment, compared to spontaneous pregnancies. There was no significant difference in PTB between SCS and any of the other groups. Concerning the average birth weight we found no significant difference between singletons born after natural conception and SCS. However, a significant difference in average birth weight was found between SCS singletons and singletons born after IVF, ICSI and hormonal treatment, with a significantly higher birth weight in the SCS group. This difference was also observed in the proportion of babies weighing less than 2500 g, with significantly more LBW babies in the IVF and ICSI group compared to the SCS newborns. Interpretation: Taking into account the small series, PTB and LBW rates in SCS singletons were found to be comparable with singletons born after natural conception. Compared to babies born after ovarian stimulation and IVF/ICSI, SCS singletons had a lower PTB and LBW rates, although the differences were not significant for PTB. Our results confirm previous reports on reassuring perinatal outcomes after using the SCS technology.