Respiratory pathology in late preterm infants conceived by in vitro fertilization

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the incidence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in late preterm infants and the presence of respiratory pathology in this premature category compared with those conceived naturally. This retrospective study was performed over 6 months, including newborns with a gestational age between 34–36 weeks and 6 days in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute of Mother and Child Health. The following variables were assessed: infants' gestational age, delivery mode, respiratory morbidity, and the need for respiratory support. During the mentioned period, 112 late preterm infants were born, out of whom 9.8% represented late preterm infants conceived by in vitro fertilization. The delivery mode of late preterm infants conceived by in vitro fertilization was exclusively by C-section (100%) compared to those conceived spontaneously (44.5%). 18.1% of IVF late preterm infants developed transient tachypnea of the newborn. In the non-IVF group, respiratory distress syndrome was present in 5.9% and transient tachypnea in 33.6% of cases. No IVF late preterm infant required hospitalization in neonatal intensive care for more than 3 days, compared to 19.8% of naturally conceived late preterm infants. Respiratory distress syndrome very seldom occurs in late preterm IVF infants due to prenatal prophylactic treatment with corticosteroids. Respiratory pathology is rarely present due to very careful monitoring during pregnancy, the presence of a neonatal team in the delivery room for possible resuscitation, and providing proper care according to the good state of health during the short, one-week hospitalization.