Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2017 Nov;60(6):565-570. 10.5468/ogs.2017.60.6.565.

Etiological evaluation of repeated biochemical pregnancy in infertile couples who have undergone in vitro fertilization

• Lee HM
• Lee HJ
• Yang KM
• Cha SH
• Ahn HK
• Kim YJ

• KMID: 2418358
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2017.60.6.565

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.

Keyword

Biochemical phenomena; Pregnancy; Habitual abortion; Etiology; In vitro fertilization

MeSH Terms

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
Chorionic Gonadotropin
Immunologic Factors

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