Maternal factors and the risk of birth defects after IVF and ICSI: a whole of population cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the contribution of maternal factors to major birth defects after in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and natural conception. Design: Retrospective cohort study in South Australia for the period January 1986 to December 2002. Setting: A whole of population study. Population: A census of all IVF and ICSI linked to registries for births, pregnancy terminations, and birth defects (diagnosed before a child's fifth birthday). Methods: Odds ratios (ORs) for birth defects were calculated among IVF, ICSI, and natural conceptions for maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking, pre-existing diseases, and conditions in pregnancy, with adjust..