Objective: To examine differences in maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between women with ovulatory dysfunction (OD) and women with tubal obstruction (TO) who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Patient(s): Exposed and nonexposed groups were selected from the 2000-2006 National ART Surveillance System linked with live-birth certificates from three states: Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
Intervention(s): None.
Main outcome measure(s): Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes, including newborn's health status right after delivery (Apgar score, <7 vs. ≥ 7) as the study outcome of interest, were assessed among women with OD/polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and TO who used ART.
Result(s): A significantly higher prevalence of women with OD/PCOS were younger (<35 years of age; 65.7% vs. 48.9%), were white (85.4% vs. 74.4%), had higher education (29.4% vs. 15.6%), and experienced diabetes (8.8% vs. 5.3%) compared with those having TO. The odds of having a lower (<7) Apgar score at 5 minutes were almost twice as high among newborns of women with OD/PCOS compared with those with TO (crude odds ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31, 2.64; adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.30, 2.77).
Conclusion(s): Women with OD/PCOS who underwent ART have different characteristics and health issues (higher prevalence of diabetes) and infant outcomes (lower Apgar score) compared with women with TO.
Keywords: Apgar score; Ovulatory dysfunction (OD); assisted reproductive technology (ART); polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); tubal obstruction (TO).
Published by Elsevier Inc.