International Journal of Gynecology and Infertility (ISSN 2998-4831) (Impact Factor: 2.612) | Volume 3, Issue 1 | Original Research Article | Open Access DOI

Obstetric Outcomes in Singleton Pregnancies Conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Population-Based Retrospective Study

Diana L. Toro*

Diana Toro1, Tyler Chiu2, Maharajni Perla2, Josh McOmber2, Meredith Anderson2, Emma Toro4, Nicholas Stansbury3

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

2Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, USA

3Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Texas Health San, Antonio, San Antonio, USA

4The Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA

*Correspondence to: Diana L. Toro 

Fulltext PDF

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate obstetric outcomes among singleton pregnancies conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART) compared with non-ART singleton pregnancies using a national population-based dataset, and to determine whether ART-associated obstetric risk is uniform or selective across outcome domains.

Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) Natality database, including all singleton live births from 2016 to 2019. Outcomes assessed included cesarean delivery, preterm birth (<37 weeks), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Comparisons between ART and non-ART pregnancies were performed using chi-square testing. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: ART-conceived singleton pregnancies demonstrated higher cesarean delivery rates compared with non-ART pregnancies (48.0% vs. 38.5%; absolute difference 9.5%; p<0.001). Preterm birth was modestly more frequent among ART pregnancies (11.7% vs. 10.5%; p<0.001). Rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus were similar between groups (p>0.05). Findings were consistent across all study years.

Conclusion: ART singleton pregnancies are associated with higher cesarean delivery rates and modestly increased preterm birth, while other obstetric outcomes remain comparable to non-ART pregnancies. These findings suggest a selective, rather than uniform, obstetric risk profile in contemporary ART pregnancies.

Keywords:

Assisted reproductive technology; In vitro fertilization; Obstetric outcomes; Preterm birth; Singleton pregnancy

Citation:

Diana Toro, Tyler Chiu, Maharajni Perla, Josh McOmber, Meredith Anderson, Emma Toro, Nicholas Stansbury. Obstetric Outcomes in Singleton Pregnancies Conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Population-Based Retrospective Study. Int Jour Gyn Infer. 2026;3(1):1-7.