Multivariate comparative analysis of preterm infants between assisted reproductive technology conception and natural conception

Abstract

Background With the improvement of assisted reproductive technology（ART）, the prognosis of premature infants conceived by ART has attracted much attention. Methods A retrospective clinical analysis was performed on 458 preterm infants (258 infants via ART, 200 infants via natural conception(NC))born at Yunnan First People's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. Pertinent patient,clinical data were compared between two groups. Results The rates of multiple births, caesarean sections, and older mothers in the ART group were higher than that of the NC group ( P＜0. 05). In the comparison of premature complications, the incidence of low-birth-weight infants and congenital heart disease were statistically significant between two groups( P＜0. 05). Multivariate analysis showed that premature rupture of membranes, and intrauterine growth restriction were the main risk factors for small-for-gestational-age(SGA). The head circumference, weight, and length of the ART group were lower than those of the NC group at 1, 3, and 6 months of gestation( P<0. 05). Conclusion ART doesn't lead to unfavourable birth outcomes. Premature membrane rupture and intrauterine growth restriction were independent risk factors for SGA. The growth and development of the NC group may be better than that of the ART group.