Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy is not related to adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies

Study question: What is the potential impact of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) on obstetric and neonatal outcomes?

Summary answer: PGT-A is not associated with increased rates of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies following IVF/ICSI cycles.

What is known already: PGT-A pregnancies may be associated with increased risks of lower birthweight, preterm delivery, and hypertensive disorders compared with natural pregnancies. In a recent meta-analysis, the overall obstetric and neonatal outcomes of PGT-A pregnancies were favorable compared with those of IVF/ICSI pregnancies, although PGT-A pregnancies were associated with a higher risk of hypertensive disorders.

Study design, size, duration: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed in University-affiliated infertility centers. Single live births following IVF/ICSI between October 2016 and January 2021 were included in the study.

Participants/materials, setting, methods: A total of 7146 live births after single embryo transfers with (n = 3296) or without (n = 3850) PGT-A were included. The primary outcome was pre-eclampsia and secondary outcomes included gestational diabetes, low birthweight and very low birthweight, cesarean section delivery, emergency cesarean section, as well as preterm birth, birthweight, congenital abnormalities, neonatal sex, Apgar score at 5 min, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. In a subgroup analysis, were included only blastocysts screened with next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Main results and the role of chance: Univariate analysis showed that pre-eclampsia, cesarean section incidence, and low Apgar score were higher in women undergoing PGT-A. However, after performing multivariate logistic and linear regression models accounting for many possible confounders, pregnancies that had been conceived after embryo biopsy showed no increase in adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. The subgroup analysis including patients with blastocysts screened by NGS showed a decreased risk of preterm birth in the group undergoing PGT-A.

Limitations, reasons for caution: Caution should be used when interpreting the data because of its limitations, mainly related to its retrospective design. Although this is a large multicenter study, data acquisition included self-reporting questionnaires, and the deliveries occurred in different institutions with distinct protocols.

Wider implications of the findings: The current study does not show any major adverse clinical outcomes after PGT-A. Efforts should be made to promote good quality research on embryo biopsy in terms of neonatal and obstetric outcomes, as well as its long-term consequences.

Study funding/competing interest(s): No specific funding was obtained for this study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Trial registration number: N/A.