In-vitro fertilization pregnancies and perinatal health in Finland 1991–1993

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) 1995-07, Vol.10 (7), p.1856-1861
• Main Authors: Gissler, Mika, Silverio, Maili Malin, Hemminki, Elina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; costs; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fetus - physiology; Finland; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Health Care Costs; health service use; Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Health Status; Humans; in-vitro fertilization; Infant Care - economics; Infant, Newborn - physiology; Medical Birth Register; Medical sciences; perinatal health; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Multiple; Registries; Sterility. Assisted procreation
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a136191

In 1993, in Finland at least 0.7% of all pregnancies ending in birth were assisted by in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The purpose of this study was to compare IVF mothers with other mothers, and the perinatal health and health care costs of IVF infants to those of other infants. The main source of information was the Medical Birth Register for 1991–1993 (n = 19 1712 pregnancies, of which 1015 were started by IVF). IVF mothers were more often older, married and primiparas. They started antenatal care earlier, had more visits than other mothers and more than 50% were hospitalized during their pregnancy. Every fourth IVF pregnancy was a multiple one. Both IVF singletons and multiples had poorer health than other infants. The new practice of implanting fewer embryos than before was introduced in 1992–1993, and a 50% decrease in triplet rate was found. At the same time, a somewhat better outcome for IVF newborns was found. However, every fourth child was still preterm or weighed