EXPLORING OBSTETRIC OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS CONCEIVING AFTER SUBFERTILITY

Abstract

Background: Subfertility is a growing concern worldwide, affecting a significant proportion of couples and potentially influencing maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Previous studies suggest that pregnancies following subfertility may carry an increased risk of complications such as hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and low birth weight. However, the extent of these risks and their relationship with subfertility remains unclear.

Objective: To assess maternal and neonatal complications associated with pregnancies in subfertile patients.

Methodology: This prospective cohort study included 103 patients, divided into a subfertile group (n=52) and a fertile group (n=51). Convenience sampling was used for recruitment. Baseline characteristics, including age and BMI, were recorded. Maternal and neonatal outcomes assessed included hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Data were analyzed to estimate the risk of adverse outcomes in subfertile patients, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Subfertile women had a higher mean age (32.5 ± 4.2 years vs. 30.1 ± 3.9 years) and BMI (27.8 ± 3.5 kg/m² vs. 26.2 ± 3.1 kg/m²) compared to fertile women. Hypertensive disorders were significantly more common in the subfertile group (40% vs. 25%, p = 0.04), while rates of preterm births (18% vs. 10%, p = 0.12) and low birth weight babies (25% vs. 15%, p = 0.10) were higher but not statistically significant. These findings emphasize elevated maternal and neonatal risks in subfertile pregnancies.

Conclusion: Subfertility is associated with a significantly higher risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. While trends of increased preterm births and low birth weight were observed in subfertile patients highlighting the need of vigilant antenatal monitoring in these women.