In vitro fertilization pregnancy may cause fetal thymic volume involution: A case-control study


KAYA N. S., GÜVENDAĞ GÜVEN E. S., GÜVEN S.

International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine, vol.21, no.10, pp.819-826, 2023 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.18502/ijrm.v21i10.14537
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.819-826
  • Keywords: Fertilization in vitro, Fetus, Prenatal ultrasonography, Thymus
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: The effect of modern infertility treatment modalities on fetal thymic volume has not been well known. Objective: 3-dimensional ( 3D) fetal thymus volumes of 18-24 wk in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies and spontaneous pregnancy cases were compared. Materials and Methods: 135 cases were evaluated in this prospective case-control study. The study was conducted between July 2019 and July 2020 at a university hospital in Trabzon, Turkey. Fetal thymus volume was calculated in the pregnant cases included in the study with the help of the virtual organ computer-assisted analysis system included in the advanced ultrasonography system. The fetal thymus volumes were compared between pregnant women with IVF and spontaneous pregnant women. Results: The fetal thymus size was significantly lower in the IVF pregnancy group than in spontaneous pregnancy cases (p < 0.001). It was found that the fetal complications, such as non-reassuring fetal health status and requirement for neonatal intensive care, were higher in cases who became pregnant after IVF treatment. It was also found that the rate of any pregnancy complication was significantly higher in IVF pregnancy group (p = 0.02). Conclusion: In light of these results, it may be concluded that small fetal thymus size may be another fetal complication of IVF pregnancies.