Is frozen embryo transfer better for mothers and babies? Can cumulative meta-analysis provide a definitive answer?

AbstractBACKGROUNDInitial observational studies and a systematic review published 5 years ago have suggested that obstetric and perinatal outcomes are better in offspring conceived following frozen rather than fresh embryo transfers, with reduced risks of preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia. More recent primary studies are beginning to challenge some of these findings. We therefore conducted an updated systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis to examine if these results have remained consistent over time.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALEThe aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis (trend with time) of obstetric and perinatal complications in singleton pregnancies following the transfer of frozen thawed and fresh embryos generated throughin-vitro fertilisation.SEARCH METHODSData Sources from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials DARE and CINAHL (1984 –2016) were searched using appropriate key words. Observational and randomised studies comparing obstetric and perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies conceived through IVF using either fresh or frozen thawed embryos. Two independent reviewers extracted data in 2 × 2 tables and assessed the m ethodological quality of the relevant studies using CASP scoring. Both aggregated as well as cumulative meta-analysis was done using STATA.OUTCOMESTwenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Singleton babies conceived from frozen th...
Source: Human Reproduction Update - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research