Assisted reproductive technology or infertility: What underlies adverse outcomes? Lessons from the Massachusetts Outcome Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technology (ART, defined here as including only in vitro fertilization and related technologies) is associated with increased adverse pregnancy, neonatal, and childhood developmental outcomes, even in singletons. The comparison group for many of these studies has often been a fertile population that conceived without assistance. The Massachusetts Outcome Study of Assisted Reproductive Technology (MOSART) was initiated to define a subfertile population with which to compare ART outcomes. Over >10 years, we have used the MOSART database to not only study pregnancy abnormalities and delivery complications but also evaluate ongoing health of women, infants, and children. This article will review studies from the MOSART in the context of how they compare with those of other investigations. We will present MOSART studies that identified the influence of ART and subfertility/infertility on adverse pregnancy (pregnancy hypertensive disorder, gestational diabetes, and placental abnormality) and delivery (preterm birth and low birth weight) outcomes as well as on maternal and child hospitalizations. We will provide evidence that although subfertility/infertility increases the risk of adverse outcomes, there is additional risk associated with the use of ART. Studies exploring the contribution of placental abnormalities as a factor adding to this increased ART-associated risk will be described.