ArticleJournal of assisted reproduction and genetics2021
Risks of nonchromosomal birth defects, small-for-gestational age birthweight, and prematurity with in vitro fertilization: effect of number of embryos transferred and plurality at conception versus at birth.
Article in Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- ESHRE guideline: number of embryos to transfer during IVF/ICSI†.Human reproduction (Oxford, England) · 2024Guideline
- In Vitro Fertilization and VACTERL Birth Defects.JAMA network open · 2026Article
- A population-based study of the co-occurrence of hypospadias and congenital heart defects among boys conceived with in vitro fertilization†.Human reproduction (Oxford, England) · 2026Article
- A Population-Based Assessment of Cancer Risk in Children With VACTERL.American journal of medical genetics. Part A · 2026Article
- Maternal, reproductive and perinatal factors and the risks of birth defects: traditional and emerging factors.Reproductive biomedicine online · 2025Article
- The clinical characteristics differences between IVF twins and naturally conceived twins with preterm infants.Medicine · 2025Observational
- The interplay between mitochondrial DNA genotypes, female infertility, ovarian response, and mutagenesis in oocytes.Human reproduction open · 2025Article
- Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in children born after ART with frozen and fresh embryo transfers.Human reproduction open · 2025Article
- Fertility treatment increases the risk of preterm birth independent of multiple gestations.F&S reports · 2023Article
- Higher obstetric and perinatal risks for twins and the need for single embryo transfers in assisted reproduction.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica · 2023Article
- The impact of single-step and sequential embryo culture systems on obstetric and perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies: the Massachusetts Outcomes Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology.Fertility and sterility · 2022Article
- Adding new ingredients to the recipe for successful embryo transfers.Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
18 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposeExcess embryos transferred (ET) (> plurality at birth) and fetal heartbeats (FHB) at 6 weeks' gestation are associated with reductions in birthweight and gestation, but prior studies have been limited by small sample sizes and limited IVF data. This analysis evaluated associations between excess ET, excess FHB, and adverse perinatal outcomes, including the risk of nonchromosomal birth defects.
methodsLive births conceived via IVF from Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Texas included 138,435 children born 2004-2013 (Texas), 2004-2016 (Massachusetts and North Carolina), and 2004-2017 (New York) were classified by ET and FHB. Major birth defects were reported by statewide registries within the first year of life. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CIs of the risks of a major nonchromosomal birth defect, small-for-gestational age birthweight (SGA), low birthweight (LBW), and preterm birth (≤36 weeks), by excess ET, and excess ET + excess FHB, by plurality at birth (singletons and twins).
resultsIn singletons with [2 ET, FHB =1] and [≥3 ET, FHB=1], risks [AOR (95% CI)] were increased, respectively, for major nonchromosomal birth defects [1.13 (1.00-1.27) and 1.18 (1.00-1.38)], SGA [1.10 (1.03-1.17) and 1.15 (1.05-1.26)], LBW [1.09 (1.02-1.13) and 1.17 (1.07-1.27)], and preterm birth [1.06 (1.00-1.12) and 1.14 (1.06-1.23)]. With excess ET + excess FHB, risks of all adverse outcomes except major nonchromosomal birth defects increased further for both singletons and twins.
conclusionExcess embryos transferred are associated with increased risks for nonchromosomal birth defects, reduced birthweight, and prematurity in IVF-conceived births.
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