Hypertensive disorders of in-vitro fertilization pregnancies: A study from Kosovo

BACKGROUND: Relationships between in-vitro fertilization (IVF), gestational hypertension, and pregnancy outcomes are demonstrated in a number of studies. However, it is still debated if IVF treatment or specific characteristics of infertile patients are responsible for worse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate maternal characteristics associated with hypertensive disorders (HD) in IVF conceived pregnancies and to assess the obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this observational, cross-sectional study, 207 pregnant women who underwent IVF treatment were consecutively divided into two groups: a group that had no HD during pregnancy (IVF group) and a group that had HD during pregnancy (IVF+HD group). Maternal, obstetrical and neonatal data of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Some maternal characteristics were significantly higher in IVF+HD compared to IVF group such as: older age (p=0.0001), primiparity (p=0.038), obesity (p=0.0001), and cigarette smoking (p=0.0001). There were no significant differences between the groups in regard to obstetrical outcomes besides premature rupture of membranes time that was significantly higher in IVF+HD group compared to IVF group (p=0.036). In regard to neonatal outcomes, the only statistically significant difference was in the 5(th) min Apgar score, which was higher in IVF+HD group compared to IVF group without HD (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: With regard to significantly higher differences in maternal characteristics of IVF conceived pregnancies complicated with HD, compared to uncomplicated ones, development of a specific national prevention measure for HD of IVF conceived pregnancies in Kosovo is strongly suggested. In addition, setting up of a national registry is recommended in order to evaluate the outcomes of IVF treatments properly.