Characteristics and morbidity of prematurely born newborns conceived with assisted reproductive technologies

/Objective. The proportion of live-born infants conceived with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in some European countries reaches 6% and in Serbia over 1%. The aim of this study was to analyze characteristics and morbidity of prematurely born newborns conceived with ART. Methods. The study included 154 prematurely born newborns from pregnancies conceived with ART and 154 prematurely born newborns conceived naturally hospitalized at the Institute of Health Care of Children and Adolescents of Vojvodina. Participants from both groups were matched according to gestational age and date of birth. Results. Statistically significantly more newborns with very low birth weight have been in group of newborns conceived by ART in comparison to newborns conceived naturally (χ2 test, p = 0.0002). Morbidity of newborns conceived with ART is not higher in comparison to newborns of the same gestational age conceived naturally. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, occurred more frequently in children from ART (χ2 test, p = 0.006) and retinopathy of prematurity, occurred more frequently in children spontaneously conceived. (χ2 test, p = 0.047). There was no difference in the frequency of birth defects, genetic syndromes and inborn errors of metabolism between two groups. Conclusion. Lower birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction are potential risk factors for worse postnatal outcome in newborns from pregnancies conceived with ART.