Perinatal outcomes following in vitro fertilization among reproductive-age women at Saint Paul Hospital, (IVF) Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) encompasses a range of fertility treatments involving the manipulation of oocytes, sperm, or embryos, while in vitro fertilization (IVF) is one specific form of ART. Although IVF utilization is increasing globally, evidence regarding perinatal outcomes following IVF remains limited in Ethiopia, particularly in resource-constrained settings. To determine the proportion of favorable and unfavorable perinatal outcomes and identify factors associated with unfavorable perinatal outcomes among reproductive-age women who conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and delivered at Saint Paul Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A retrospective record review was conducted among reproductive-age women who conceived following IVF and delivered at Saint Paul Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between July 29, 2019, and December 30, 2023. A total of 422 eligible women were included, data were collected using structured questionnaires and document review and telephone interviews. Data analysis was performed using Epi Data Version 4.6 and STATA Version 14, with multiple binary logistic regression applied as the final model. Variables meeting the prespecified criterion in bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable model, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. The overall proportion of unfavorable perinatal outcomes was 95 (22.51%) (CI: 18.5–26.5). Factors associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes included advanced maternal age (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.02–2.5), preeclampsia (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.03–2.50), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.02–5.09), vaginal bleeding (abruptio placenta) (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.42–3.41), and twin pregnancy (AOR = 4.36, 95% CI: 1.07–17.73). The study found an overall percentage of unfavorable perinatal outcomes lower than in earlier studies, with advanced maternal age, obstetric complications (pre-eclampsia, GDM, PROM, abruptio placenta), and multiple pregnancies being linked to unfavorable outcomes.