Influence of maternal age on the birthweight of infants delivered from frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal age had an effect on the birthweight of singletons delivered from frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT) cycles. A total of 1203 FBT cycles occurring between July 2011 and June 2021 at a single centre were retrospectively analysed. Based on the maternal age at FBT, the patients were divided into four groups: <30, 30–34, 35−37, and ≥38 years of age. Main outcomes measured included singleton birthweights, preterm births, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) live births among the groups. There was no significant difference in birth weight among the four groups, while the highest birth weight was found in the <30 years group. The incidence of very preterm births and very low birth weights demonstrated an increasing trend with age; on the contrary, the incidence of preterm births, low birth weight (LBW), high birth weight and LGA and SGA live births gradually decreased with increasing age, but these differences were not statistically significant among groups (P>0.05, respectively). Although the proportion of females was lower than that of males, the difference was not statistically significant among the groups. After adjusting for possible confounders, maternal age was found to have no effect on adverse neonatal outcomes in the regression analyses (P>0.05). Birthweight in singleton births from FBT was not affected by maternal age.

Comparison of pregnancy outcomes among patients of different ages who underwent frozen-thawed high-quality single blastocyst transfer

“…Multivariate analysis also confirmed that the 35-37-year-old group was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes or obstetric or neonatal complications. This discovery is consistent with the conclusions of many scholars, such as Wang X and Ni Zhixin [ 24 , 25 ], who further confirmed the feasibility and safety of frozen-thawed high-quality SBT for women aged 35–37 years. Notably, multivariate regression analysis revealed that a maternal age between 38 and 40 years was associated with a 1.63-fold increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes but was not associated with obstetric or neonatal complications.…”

Effect of post-vitrification cryopreservation duration on singleton birth-weight in frozen-thawed blastocysts transfer cycles

“…Patients underwent endometrial preparation using two approaches ( 25 ). Natural cycles were recommended in women with regular ovulation and menstruation.…”

Effect of development speed and quality of blastocyst on singleton birthweight in single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles

“…Endometrial preparation and luteal support protocols for FBT cycles at our center have been described in a previous article ( 26 ). In summary, two approaches to endometrial preparation exist.…”

“…With the patient's informed consent, all remaining embryos were cultured until D5 or D6 after fertilization. Upon formation of blastocysts, they were accessed in accordance with the Gardner scoring system (25). In brief, blastocysts were scored based on three aspects, i.e., blastocyst cavity expansion (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6), the quality of the inner cell mass (ICM) (A, B, C), and the quality of trophoblasts (TE) (A, B, C).…”