Factors associated with failure to achieve birth emphasizing a successful singleton at term following in vitro fertilization

ObjectiveTo evaluate the factors that might affect birth emphasizing a successful singleton at term (BESST) outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.MethodsA retrospective review of assisted reproduction cases from January 1, 2001, to July 31, 2005, at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Variables that were potentially associated with failure to achieve BESST were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsSuccessful embryo transfer occurred in 297 of the 323 cases of assisted reproduction. In total, 123 women became pregnant and were enrolled for analysis, of whom 94 had live births and 55 achieved BESST. Multivariate analysis indicated that the number of embryos transferred, the presence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, female infertility factors (other than tubal factors), and embryo quality were associated with increased relative risk of BESST failure, with odds ratios of 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.02), 1.21 (95% CI, 1.08–1.36), 1.41 (95% CI, 1.22–1.62), and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.68–0.91), respectively.ConclusionThe number of embryos transferred, the presence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, female infertility factors other than tubal factors, and embryo quality correlate with the risk of failure to achieve BESST.