University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Mortality in a cohort of IVF patients

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 13:00 authored by Alison VennAlison Venn, Hemminki, E, Watson, L, Bruinsma, F, Healy, D
Background: Risks associated with IVF and related assisted reproduction technologies include complications of ovarian stimulation, surgical procedures and pregnancy itself. Serious complications are uncommon but may be potentially life threatening. The aims of this study were to compare the mortality of women who received IVF treatment, as well as those who were referred but were not treated, with the mortality rate in the general female population, to determine the maternal mortality rate following IVF conception and to establish whether any deaths had occurred as a result of treatment complications. Methods: Deaths were identified in a cohort of 29 700 Australian IVF patients by record-linkage with the National Death Index and a cancer registry. Results: The all-cause mortality rates in IVF patients (treated and untreated) were significantly lower than in the general female population of the same age. In treated women, 72 deaths were observed and 125 deaths were expected giving an age-standardized mortality ratio of 0.58 (95% confidence interval 0.48-0.69). Two maternal deaths were identified in the 42 days of the puerperium. Complications of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome could not be directly related to any of the deaths identified in this cohort. Conclusions: As well as providing some reassurance about the safety of IVF treatments, the findings point to the existence of a 'healthy patient effect' whereby the unhealthiest women in the population are deterred from pregnancy and infertility treatment.

History

Publication title

Human Reproduction

Volume

16

Issue

12

Pagination

2691-2696

ISSN

0268-1161

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Place of publication

Oxford, England

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC