Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia

Abstract Background Assisted reproductive techniques are increasingly used to achieve fertility in developing countries in South Asia. However, the data on the outcome of assisted pregnancies are sparse. This study aims to evaluate the pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes and complications of a...

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Main Authors: Sachith Mettananda, Himali Herath, Ranod Madushith, Tiran Dias, Rasika Herath, Sampatha Goonewardena, Dhammica Rowel, Abner Elkan Daniel, Susie Perera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07631-y
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author Sachith Mettananda
Himali Herath
Ranod Madushith
Tiran Dias
Rasika Herath
Sampatha Goonewardena
Dhammica Rowel
Abner Elkan Daniel
Susie Perera
author_facet Sachith Mettananda
Himali Herath
Ranod Madushith
Tiran Dias
Rasika Herath
Sampatha Goonewardena
Dhammica Rowel
Abner Elkan Daniel
Susie Perera
author_sort Sachith Mettananda
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Assisted reproductive techniques are increasingly used to achieve fertility in developing countries in South Asia. However, the data on the outcome of assisted pregnancies are sparse. This study aims to evaluate the pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes and complications of assisted pregnancies in Sri Lanka, a low-middle-income country in South Asia. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of the data of the island-wide multi-centre Sri Lanka Birth Weight Study, which recruited all live-born newborns in 13 hospitals covering 20% of all births in the country from 01 August to 30 September 2023. Data on socio-demographic background, type of conception, pre-pregnancy medical, obstetric and delivery complications and immediate neonatal outcomes were collected by interviewing mothers and perusing patient records. Maternal age-, multiple births- and prematurity-adjusted odds ratios were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 8992 pregnancies, 8900 (99.0%) were spontaneous conceptions. The assisted pregnancy rate was 1.0%, with 52 intra-uterine insemination and 40 in-vitro fertilisation pregnancies. The mean ages of mothers who had intra-uterine insemination (31.2 years) or in-vitro fertilisation (38.7 years) were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the mothers who had spontaneous conceptions (28.6 years). Pregestational diabetes (p = 0.003) and hypothyroidism (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the assisted pregnancy group compared to the spontaneous conceptions. Regarding pregnancy complications, gestational diabetes (p = 0.001) was higher in in-vitro fertilisation pregnancies and urinary tract infection (p < 0.001) was higher in intra-uterine insemination pregnancies. The multiple births (6.4% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001) and caesarean section (77.2% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.001) rates were significantly higher among the assisted pregnancy group compared to spontaneous conceptions. Neonates born following assisted pregnancies were significantly more likely to be premature (p < 0.001), low birth weight (p < 0.05), admitted to neonatal intensive care units (p < 0.001) and die within the first day of life (p < 0.05) compared babies born following spontaneous conceptions. Conclusions The assisted pregnancy rate in this study was 1%, and assisted pregnancies were more common among women with pregestational diabetes and hypothyroidism. Gestational diabetes and urinary tract infections were more frequent in assisted pregnancies. Neonates born following assisted pregnancies reported significant morbidity and mortality compared to spontaneous conceptions.
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spelling doaj-art-e0878b5db4a848c08e53384cc037a9ec2025-08-20T01:47:30ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-04-0125111010.1186/s12884-025-07631-yPregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South AsiaSachith Mettananda0Himali Herath1Ranod Madushith2Tiran Dias3Rasika Herath4Sampatha Goonewardena5Dhammica Rowel6Abner Elkan Daniel7Susie Perera8Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of KelaniyaPerinatal Society of Sri LankaDepartment of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of KelaniyaColombo North Teaching HospitalColombo North Teaching HospitalPerinatal Society of Sri LankaUNICEF Sri LankaUNICEF Sri LankaPerinatal Society of Sri LankaAbstract Background Assisted reproductive techniques are increasingly used to achieve fertility in developing countries in South Asia. However, the data on the outcome of assisted pregnancies are sparse. This study aims to evaluate the pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes and complications of assisted pregnancies in Sri Lanka, a low-middle-income country in South Asia. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of the data of the island-wide multi-centre Sri Lanka Birth Weight Study, which recruited all live-born newborns in 13 hospitals covering 20% of all births in the country from 01 August to 30 September 2023. Data on socio-demographic background, type of conception, pre-pregnancy medical, obstetric and delivery complications and immediate neonatal outcomes were collected by interviewing mothers and perusing patient records. Maternal age-, multiple births- and prematurity-adjusted odds ratios were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 8992 pregnancies, 8900 (99.0%) were spontaneous conceptions. The assisted pregnancy rate was 1.0%, with 52 intra-uterine insemination and 40 in-vitro fertilisation pregnancies. The mean ages of mothers who had intra-uterine insemination (31.2 years) or in-vitro fertilisation (38.7 years) were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the mothers who had spontaneous conceptions (28.6 years). Pregestational diabetes (p = 0.003) and hypothyroidism (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the assisted pregnancy group compared to the spontaneous conceptions. Regarding pregnancy complications, gestational diabetes (p = 0.001) was higher in in-vitro fertilisation pregnancies and urinary tract infection (p < 0.001) was higher in intra-uterine insemination pregnancies. The multiple births (6.4% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001) and caesarean section (77.2% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.001) rates were significantly higher among the assisted pregnancy group compared to spontaneous conceptions. Neonates born following assisted pregnancies were significantly more likely to be premature (p < 0.001), low birth weight (p < 0.05), admitted to neonatal intensive care units (p < 0.001) and die within the first day of life (p < 0.05) compared babies born following spontaneous conceptions. Conclusions The assisted pregnancy rate in this study was 1%, and assisted pregnancies were more common among women with pregestational diabetes and hypothyroidism. Gestational diabetes and urinary tract infections were more frequent in assisted pregnancies. Neonates born following assisted pregnancies reported significant morbidity and mortality compared to spontaneous conceptions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07631-yAssisted pregnancyAssisted reproductive technologyIn-vitro fertilisationIntra-uterine inseminationPregnancy outcomeNeonatal outcome
spellingShingle Sachith Mettananda
Himali Herath
Ranod Madushith
Tiran Dias
Rasika Herath
Sampatha Goonewardena
Dhammica Rowel
Abner Elkan Daniel
Susie Perera
Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Assisted pregnancy
Assisted reproductive technology
In-vitro fertilisation
Intra-uterine insemination
Pregnancy outcome
Neonatal outcome
title Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia
title_full Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia
title_fullStr Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia
title_full_unstemmed Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia
title_short Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low-middle income country in South Asia
title_sort pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of assisted pregnancies in a low middle income country in south asia
topic Assisted pregnancy
Assisted reproductive technology
In-vitro fertilisation
Intra-uterine insemination
Pregnancy outcome
Neonatal outcome
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07631-y
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