-
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jul 2023Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-a most common disorder in women of reproductive age-has been described to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite the... (Review)
Review
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-a most common disorder in women of reproductive age-has been described to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite the increased health risks for the mother (preeclampsia, lupus flare, arterial hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus and thrombotic risk when antiphospholipid antibodies are present) and fetus (miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal lupus), the majority of patients can deliver healthy neonates. With appropriate management by a multidisciplinary team, composing rheumatologists, obstetricians and neonatologists, women with SLE can achieve better pregnancy outcomes by monitoring associated predictive indicators, raising major concern for severe complications and somewhat early delivery if necessary. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in secondary infertility and pregnancy-related risk perception for lupus patients, with an emphasis on the safety of biological agents (mainly belimumab and rituximab) and traditional therapeutic regimens.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Symptom Flare Up; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Complications; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
PubMed: 35913558
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06718-7 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Sep 2023A Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP) is a variant of uterine ectopic pregnancy defined by full or partial implantation of the gestational sac in the scar of a previous... (Review)
Review
A Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP) is a variant of uterine ectopic pregnancy defined by full or partial implantation of the gestational sac in the scar of a previous cesarean section. The continuous increase of Cesarean Deliveries is causing a parallel increase in CSP and its complications. Considering its high morbidity, the most usual recommendation has been termination of pregnancy in the first trimester; however, several cases progress to viable births. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the outcome of CSP managed expectantly and understand whether sonographic signs could correlate to the outcomes. An online-based search of PubMed and Cochrane Library Databases was used to gather studies including women diagnosed with a CSP who were managed expectantly. The description of all cases was analysed by the authors in order to obtain information for each outcome. 47 studies of different types were retrieved, and the gestational outcome was available in 194 patients. Out of these, 39 patients (20,1%) had a miscarriage and 16 (8,3%) suffered foetal death. 50 patients (25,8%) had a term delivery and 81 (41,8%) patients had a preterm birth, out of which 27 (13,9%) delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. In 102 (52,6%) patients, a hysterectomy was performed. Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) was a common disorder among CSP and was linked to a higher rate of complications such as foetal death, preterm birth, hysterectomy, haemorrhagic morbidity and surgical complications. Some of the analysed articles showed that sonographic signs with specific characteristics, such as type II and III CSP classification, Crossover Sign - 1, "In the niche" implantation and lower myometrial thickness could be related to worse outcomes of CSP. This article provides a good understanding of CSP as an entity that, although rare, presents with a high rate of relevant morbidity. It is also understood that pregnancies with confirmed PAS had an even higher rate of morbidity. Some sonographic signs were shown to predict the prognosis of these pregnancies and further investigation is necessary to validate one or more signs so they can be used for a more reliable counselling of women with CSP.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Cesarean Section; Premature Birth; Cicatrix; Watchful Waiting; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Pregnancy Outcome; Placenta Accreta; Fetal Death; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37421745
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.06.030 -
Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Jul 2023More than two-thirds of pregnant women experience low back pain during pregnancy. This condition increases with advancing pregnancy, interfering with work, daily... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
More than two-thirds of pregnant women experience low back pain during pregnancy. This condition increases with advancing pregnancy, interfering with work, daily activities and sleep.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of the Pilates method in comparison to prenatal care on the control of lower back pain in pregnant women.
SEARCH METHODS
Electronic searches were carried out with no language or year of publication restriction in the databases Medline via Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, PEDro, and SPORTDiscus on 20 March 2021. The keywords "Pilates" and "Pregnancy" were applied and the search strategies, adapted to each databank.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized clinical trials with pregnant women with muscle pain symptoms and Pilates as an intervention method in comparison to conventional prenatal care were considered.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. The critical evaluation was done using the Risk of Bias tool assess the quality and GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence. We conducted a meta-analysis for the main outcome "pain".
RESULTS
through our searches, 687 papers were identified, but only two fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Only two studies compared Pilates with a control group without physical exercise for pain in the short term. In the meta-analysis, there was a significant difference for pain in the comparison between the Pilates group and the control group without exercise; the mean difference (MD) was -23.09 (95% CI), from -31.07 to -15.10, p = 0.001, for 65 individuals (33 in the Pilates group and 32 in the conventional group). Limitation found was the lack of blinding of therapists and participants and the small sample size of individual studies. In addition, no adverse effects were reported.
CONCLUSION
There is moderate-quality evidence that Pilates exercise may reduce pregnancy-related low-back pain more than usual prenatal or no exercise. Prospero registration number CRD42021223243.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Quality of Life; Low Back Pain; Exercise Therapy; Exercise Movement Techniques; Exercise
PubMed: 37330773
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.076 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... Sep 2023The purpose of this study was to assess whether the implementation of a "dual trigger" approach, utilizing gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and human... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Dual trigger improves the pregnancy rate in fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles compared with the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
PROPOSE
The purpose of this study was to assess whether the implementation of a "dual trigger" approach, utilizing gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the GnRH antagonist protocol for in vitro fertilization (IVF), leads to improved pregnancy outcomes compared to the conventional hCG trigger alone. Previous meta-analyses have not provided sufficient evidence to support the superiority of the dual trigger over the hCG trigger in fresh or frozen embryo transfer cycles. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials were conducted to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the dual trigger on pregnancy outcomes in fresh or frozen embryo transfer cycles.
METHOD
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted. We searched the Medline and Embase databases for articles up to 2023 by using search terms: "dual trigger," "GnRHa," "hCG," "IVF." Eligible RCTs comparing the dual trigger with the hCG trigger were included. The primary outcome was the live birth rate (LBR) per cycle. The secondary outcomes were the number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature oocytes retrieved, implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, CPR, miscarriage rate and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate per started cycle We compared the oocyte maturation and pregnancy outcomes in the dual trigger and hCG trigger groups. In patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET, we also conducted a subgroup analysis to evaluate whether dual trigger improves the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR).
RESULTS
We included 10 randomised studies, with 825 participants in the dual trigger group and 813 in the hCG trigger group. Compared with the hCG trigger, dual trigger was associated with a significant increase in the LBR per cycle (odds ratio (OR) = 1.61[1.16, 2.25]), number of oocytes retrieved (mean difference [MD] = 1.05 [0.43, 1.68]), number of mature oocytes retrieved (MD = 0.82 [0. 84, 1.16]), and CPR (OR = 1.48 [1.08, 2.01]). Subgroup analyses revealed that dual trigger was associated with a significantly increased CPR in patients who received fresh ET (OR = 1.68 [1.14, 2.48]). By contrast, the dual trigger was not associated with an increased CPR in the patient group with frozen-thawed ET (OR = 1.15 [0.64, 2.08]).
CONCLUSION
The dual trigger was associated with a significantly higher number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, CPR, and LBR in IVF than the hCG trigger. The beneficial effect for fresh ET cycles compared with frozen-thawed ET might be associated with increased endometrial receptivity.
RELEVANCE
After dual trigger, delaying ET due to the concern of endometrial receptivity might not be needed.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pregnancy Rate; Ovulation Induction; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Fertilization in Vitro; Chorionic Gonadotropin
PubMed: 37466846
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02888-8 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2023Pregnant women are one of the endangered groups who need special attention in the COVID-19 epidemic. We conducted a systematic review and summarised the studies that... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Pregnant women are one of the endangered groups who need special attention in the COVID-19 epidemic. We conducted a systematic review and summarised the studies that reported adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection. A literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus up to 1 September 2022, for retrieving original articles published in the English language assessing the association between COVID-19 infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Finally, in this review study, of 1790 articles obtained in the initial search, 141 eligible studies including 1,843,278 pregnant women were reviewed. We also performed a meta-analysis of a total of 74 cohort and case-control studies. In this meta-analysis, both fixed and random effect models were used. Publication bias was also assessed by Egger's test and the trim and fill method was conducted in case of a significant result, to adjust the bias. The result of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of preterm delivery, maternal mortality, NICU admission and neonatal death in the group with COVID-19 infection was significantly more than those without COVID-19 infection (<.01). A meta-regression was conducted using the income level of countries. COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes including of preterm delivery, maternal mortality, NICU admission and neonatal death. Pregnancy loss and SARS-CoV2 positive neonates in Lower middle income are higher than in High income. Vertical transmission from mother to foetus may occur, but its immediate and long-term effects on the newborn are unclear.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; COVID-19; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Perinatal Death; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; SARS-CoV-2; Maternal Mortality; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Patient Admission
PubMed: 36651606
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2162867 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jul 2023An emergency (rescue) cervical cerclage can be offered to pregnant women presenting with dilatation and prolapsed membranes in the second trimester of pregnancy because... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
An emergency (rescue) cervical cerclage can be offered to pregnant women presenting with dilatation and prolapsed membranes in the second trimester of pregnancy because of cervical insufficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an emergency cerclage in both singleton and twin pregnancies in the prevention of extreme premature birth.
DATA SOURCES
We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase from inception to June 2022 for transvaginal cervical emergency cerclages.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All studies on transvaginal cervical emergency cerclages with at least 5 patients and reporting survival were included.
METHODS
Included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias with an adjusted Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were performed for the primary outcome: survival.
RESULTS
Our search yielded 96 studies, incorporating 3239 women, including 14 studies with an expectant management control group, incorporating 746 women. Overall survival after cervical emergency cerclage was 74%, with a fetal survival of 88% and neonatal survival of 90%. Singleton and twin pregnancies showed similar survival, with a pregnancy prolongation of 52 and 37 days and a gestational age at delivery of 30 and 28 weeks, respectively. Meta-regression analyses indicated a significant inverse association between mean gestational age at diagnosis and pregnancy prolongation and no association between dilatation or gestational age at diagnosis and gestational age at delivery. Compared with expectant management, emergency cerclage significantly increased overall survival by 43%, fetal survival by 17% and neonatal survival by 22%, along with a significant pregnancy prolongation of 37 days and reduction in delivery at <28 weeks of gestation of 55%. These effects were more profound in singleton pregnancies than in twin pregnancies.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review indicates that, in pregnancies threatened by extreme premature birth because of cervical insufficiency, emergency cerclage leads to significantly higher survival, accompanied by significant pregnancy prolongation and reduction in delivery at <28 weeks of gestation, compared with expectant management. The mean gestational age at delivery was 30 weeks, independent of dilatation or gestational age at diagnosis. Survival was similar for singleton and twin pregnancies, implying that emergency cerclage should be considered in both.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Infant; Pregnancy, Twin; Cerclage, Cervical; Premature Birth; Cervix Uteri; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 37084870
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100971 -
Human Reproduction Update Sep 2023A normal chromosomal constitution defined through PGT-A assessing all chromosomes on trophectoderm (TE) biopsies represents the strongest predictor of embryo... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A normal chromosomal constitution defined through PGT-A assessing all chromosomes on trophectoderm (TE) biopsies represents the strongest predictor of embryo implantation. Yet, its positive predictive value is not higher than 50-60%. This gap of knowledge on the causes of euploid blastocysts' reproductive failure is known as 'the black box of implantation'.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
Several embryonic, maternal, paternal, clinical, and IVF laboratory features were scrutinized for their putative association with reproductive success or implantation failure of euploid blastocysts.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic bibliographical search was conducted without temporal limits up to August 2021. The keywords were '(blastocyst OR day5 embryo OR day6 embryo OR day7 embryo) AND (euploid OR chromosomally normal OR preimplantation genetic testing) AND (implantation OR implantation failure OR miscarriage OR abortion OR live birth OR biochemical pregnancy OR recurrent implantation failure)'. Overall, 1608 items were identified and screened. We included all prospective or retrospective clinical studies and randomized-controlled-trials (RCTs) that assessed any feature associated with live-birth rates (LBR) and/or miscarriage rates (MR) among non-mosaic euploid blastocyst transfer after TE biopsy and PGT-A. In total, 41 reviews and 372 papers were selected, clustered according to a common focus, and thoroughly reviewed. The PRISMA guideline was followed, the PICO model was adopted, and ROBINS-I and ROB 2.0 scoring were used to assess putative bias. Bias across studies regarding the LBR was also assessed using visual inspection of funnel plots and the trim and fill method. Categorical data were combined with a pooled-OR. The random-effect model was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Between-study heterogeneity was addressed using I2. Whenever not suitable for the meta-analysis, the included studies were simply described for their results. The study protocol was registered at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ (registration number CRD42021275329).
OUTCOMES
We included 372 original papers (335 retrospective studies, 30 prospective studies and 7 RCTs) and 41 reviews. However, most of the studies were retrospective, or characterized by small sample sizes, thus prone to bias, which reduces the quality of the evidence to low or very low. Reduced inner cell mass (7 studies, OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.27-0.52, I2 = 53%), or TE quality (9 studies, OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.43-0.67, I2 = 70%), overall blastocyst quality worse than Gardner's BB-grade (8 studies, OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0.67, I2 = 83%), developmental delay (18 studies, OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.49-0.63, I2 = 47%), and (by qualitative analysis) some morphodynamic abnormalities pinpointed through time-lapse microscopy (abnormal cleavage patterns, spontaneous blastocyst collapse, longer time of morula formation I, time of blastulation (tB), and duration of blastulation) were all associated with poorer reproductive outcomes. Slightly lower LBR, even in the context of PGT-A, was reported among women ≥38 years (7 studies, OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.75-1.00, I2 = 31%), while obesity was associated with both lower LBR (2 studies, OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.79, I2 = 0%) and higher MR (2 studies, OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.08-2.99, I2 = 52%). The experience of previous repeated implantation failures (RIF) was also associated with lower LBR (3 studies, OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93, I2 = 0%). By qualitative analysis, among hormonal assessments, only abnormal progesterone levels prior to transfer were associated with LBR and MR after PGT-A. Among the clinical protocols used, vitrified-warmed embryo transfer was more effective than fresh transfer (2 studies, OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.05-2.33, I2 = 23%) after PGT-A. Lastly, multiple vitrification-warming cycles (2 studies, OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.77, I2 = 50%) or (by qualitative analysis) a high number of cells biopsied may slightly reduce the LBR, while simultaneous zona-pellucida opening and TE biopsy allowed better results than the Day 3 hatching-based protocol (3 studies, OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.18-1.69, I2 = 0%).
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Embryo selection aims at shortening the time-to-pregnancy, while minimizing the reproductive risks. Knowing which features are associated with the reproductive competence of euploid blastocysts is therefore critical to define, implement, and validate safer and more efficient clinical workflows. Future research should be directed towards: (i) systematic investigations of the mechanisms involved in reproductive aging beyond de novo chromosomal abnormalities, and how lifestyle and nutrition may accelerate or exacerbate their consequences; (ii) improved evaluation of the uterine and blastocyst-endometrial dialogue, both of which represent black boxes themselves; (iii) standardization/automation of embryo assessment and IVF protocols; (iv) additional invasive or preferably non-invasive tools for embryo selection. Only by filling these gaps we may finally crack the riddle behind 'the black box of implantation'.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Abortion, Spontaneous; Embryo Implantation; Blastocyst; Embryo Transfer; Genetic Testing; Retrospective Studies; Aneuploidy; Pregnancy Rate; Preimplantation Diagnosis
PubMed: 37192834
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad010 -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... Jul 2023Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has brought good news to infertile patients, but how to improve the pregnancy outcome of poor ovarian response (POR) patients is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has brought good news to infertile patients, but how to improve the pregnancy outcome of poor ovarian response (POR) patients is still a serious challenge and the scientific evidence of some adjuvant therapies remains controversial.
AIM
Based on previous evidence, the purpose of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of DHEA, CoQ10, GH and TEAS on pregnancy outcomes in POR patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET). In addition, we aimed to determine the current optimal adjuvant treatment strategies for POR.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library and four databases in China (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed) were systematically searched up to July 30, 2022, with no restrictions on language. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adjuvant treatment strategies (DHEA, CoQ10, GH and TEAS) before IVF-ET to improve pregnancy outcomes in POR patients, while the control group received a controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) regimen only. This study was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to provide a pooled measure of cumulative ranking for each outcome.
RESULTS
Sixteen RCTs (2323 women) with POR defined using the Bologna criteria were included in the network meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, CoQ10 (OR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.71) and DHEA (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.16) had obvious advantages in improving the clinical pregnancy rate. CoQ10 was the best in improving the live birth rate (OR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.07 to 5.38). DHEA increased the embryo implantation rate (OR 2.80, 95%CI: 1.41 to 5.57) and the high-quality embryo rate (OR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.07 to 3.78) and number of oocytes retrieved (WMD 1.63, 95% CI: 0.34 to 2.92) showed a greater advantage, with GH in second place. Several adjuvant treatment strategies had no significant effect on reducing the cycle canceling rate compared with the control group. TEAS was the least effective of the four adjuvant treatments in most pooled results, but the overall effect appeared to be better than that of the control group.
CONCLUSION
Compared with COS regimen, the adjuvant use of CoQ10, DHEA and GH before IVF may have a better clinical effect on the pregnancy outcome of POR patients. TEAS needs careful consideration in improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Future large-scale RCTs with direct comparisons are needed to validate or update this conclusion.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022304723.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Ovulation Induction; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Fertilization in Vitro; Pregnancy Rate; Dehydroepiandrosterone
PubMed: 37464357
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01119-0 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jul 2023This study aimed to compare 2 aspirin dosage regimens for the prevention of preterm preeclampsia (PE): 75 to 81 mg vs 150 to 162 mg taken daily starting in the first... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to compare 2 aspirin dosage regimens for the prevention of preterm preeclampsia (PE): 75 to 81 mg vs 150 to 162 mg taken daily starting in the first trimester of pregnancy.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic search was performed using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1985 to April 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials that compared the effect of 2 aspirin dosage regimens during pregnancy for the prevention of PE initiated in the first trimester of pregnancy. The intervention was an aspirin dosage between 150 and 162 mg daily, and the control was an aspirin dosage between 75 and 81 mg daily.
METHODS
Of note, 2 reviewers independently screened all citations, selected studies, and evaluated the risk of bias. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and applied the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The corresponding authors of the included studies were contacted to validate each of the collected results. The primary outcome was the risk of preterm preeclampsia, and the secondary outcomes included term preeclampsia, any preeclampsia regardless of gestational age, and severe preeclampsia. Relative risks with their 95% confidence interval were calculated for each study and pooled for global analysis.
RESULTS
Of note, 4 randomized controlled trials were retrieved involving 552 participants. Moreover, 2 randomized controlled trials were at unclear risk of bias, 1 trial at low risk of bias and 1 trial at high risk of bias, which did not have the information for the primary outcome. The pooled analysis demonstrated that an aspirin dosage of 150 to 162 mg was associated with a significant reduction of preterm preeclampsia, compared with an aspirin dosage of 75 to 81 mg (3 studies; 472 participants; relative risk, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.79; P=.01; I=0%). There was no significant effect on the risk of term preeclampsia (3 studies; 472 participants; relative risk, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-2.64; P=.48; I=64%) and all preeclampsia (4 studies; 552 participants; relative risk, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-1.05; P=.06; I=58%), but there was a reduction of severe preeclampsia (3 studies; 472 participantst; RR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.62; P=.003; I=0%).
CONCLUSION
When initiated in the first trimester of pregnancy, an aspirin dosage of 150 to 162 mg daily was associated with a lower risk of preterm PE than an aspirin dosage of 75 to 81 mg daily. However, the lack of large, high-quality studies limited the clinical scope of the current results taken alone.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Aspirin; Pre-Eclampsia; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Gestational Age
PubMed: 37146687
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101000 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2023Maternal age-related embryo aneuploidy is considered the most significant limiting factor for a favorable outcome after assisted reproduction technology (ART)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
IMPORTANCE
Maternal age-related embryo aneuploidy is considered the most significant limiting factor for a favorable outcome after assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedures. Thus, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies has been proposed as a strategy to genetically evaluate embryos before transfer to the uterus. However, whether embryo ploidy justifies all the aspects of age-related fertility decline remains controversial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of different maternal ages on ART success rates after transfer of euploid embryos.
DATA SOURCES
ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, the Cochrane library, Clinicaltrials.gov, EU Clinical Trials Register, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry were searched from inception until November 2021 using combinations of relevant keywords.
STUDY SELECTION AND SYNTHESIS
Observational and randomized controlled studies were included if they investigated the impact of maternal age on ART outcomes after the transfer of euploid embryos and reported frequencies of women achieving ongoing pregnancy or live birth.
MAIN OUTCOMES
The ongoing pregnancy rate or live birth rate (OPR/LBR) after euploid embryo transfer comparing women <35 vs. women ≥35 years old was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included implantation rate and miscarriage rate. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also planned to explore the sources of inconsistency among studies. The quality of studies was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and body of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation working group methodology.
RESULTS
A total of 7 studies were included (n = 11,335 ART embryo transfers of euploid embryos). A higher OPR/LBR (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.54; I = 40%) in women aged <35 years than in women ≥35 with a risk difference equal to 0.06 (95% CI, 0.02-0.09) was found. In line, implantation rate was higher in the youngest group (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.12-1.32; I = 0%). A statistically significant higher OPR/LBR was also found comparing women aged <35 to women 35-37, 38-40, or 41-42. A gradient relationship between age and OPR/LBR could be observed in proportion meta-analysis, especially if restricted to studies with low risk of bias.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE
Increasing maternal age is associated with a decline in ART success rates independent of embryo ploidy. This message contributes to an appropriate patient's counseling before starting preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies procedures.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021289760.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Adult; Maternal Age; Embryo Transfer; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Pregnancy Rate; Embryo Implantation; Live Birth; Aneuploidy; Blastocyst
PubMed: 36878347
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.02.036