A large study conducted in China has revealed that women who conceive through in vitro fertilization (IVF) face nearly three times the risk of developing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) compared to those who conceive spontaneously. The research indicates that ICP, the most common pregnancy-specific liver disease, can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby, including fetal distress and poorer neonatal outcomes.
The study, published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, analyzed data from 32,803 first-time pregnancies at a single medical center between 2016 and 2020. Among these, 4,467 pregnancies were conceived via IVF, with a notable 9.25% of these women developing ICP, compared to 3.53% of the spontaneously conceived group. The IVF cohort tended to be older, have a higher body mass index, and were more likely to experience preterm births and cesarean deliveries.
Dr. John Paul Diaz and his team attributed the increased ICP risk in IVF patients to elevated levels of pregnancy hormones associated with IVF treatments. The study found that women experiencing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF were particularly vulnerable, facing double the risk of ICP.
Importantly, single-baby pregnancies via IVF showed significantly higher rates of fetal distress and lower Apgar scores compared to spontaneous pregnancies, highlighting potential risks associated with assisted reproductive technologies. The researchers emphasized the need for further multicenter studies to validate their findings and improve awareness among healthcare providers regarding the risks of ICP in IVF patients.
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