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Women who have conceived children with assisted reproductive techniques because of infertility may be at increased risk of vascular complications and pregnancy-related problems, according to new research published today in the
«Journal of the American Heart Association».
Assisted reproductive technology encompasses infertility treatments in which eggs or embryos are manipulated to improve the chances of pregnancy. Such therapies may involve the administration of medications to control the timing of ovulation, as well as procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, during which a woman’s eggs are surgically removed and fertilized in a laboratory before being re-implanted in her uterus.
“Older women are increasingly turning to assisted reproductive techniques. However, advanced maternal age, specifically 35 years or older, increases the risk of having or developing complications, such as chronic high blood pressure, which increase the risk of pregnancy problems,” according to study author Pensée Wu of the
Keele University in Staffordshire (UK).
“Adverse pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure during pregnancy, are one of the risk factors for future cardiovascular disease,” says Wu.
The researchers found that not only were the women who conceived through assisted reproductive techniques older, 35 years old compared to 28 years old, but they also had more pre-existing health problems, such as chronic hypertension, obesity and diabetes.
Specifically, the study shows that these women were 2.5 times more likely to suffer acute kidney failure and also of a 65% higher arrhythmias.
Likewise, a pregnancy conceived with these assisted reproductive techniques was associated with a 57% higher risk of placental abruptiona serious complication in which the placenta separates from the lining of the uterus, a 38% increased risk of cesarean delivery and a 26% increased risk of preterm delivery.
A relevant fact, highlights Wu, is that the risks were present even among those who conceived with these techniques who did not have pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors.
“We were surprised that assisted reproductive technology was independently associated with these complications, rather than being associated only with pre-existing health conditions or only among older women undergoing infertility treatment,” says Wu.
The study concludes that it is important to advise patients who are considering this alternative to have children about health and pregnancy, as well as about the risks related to postpartum.
“Patients with existing cardiovascular risk factors should be especially counseled about potentially long-term» Wu finished.