Risk factors vary early preterm birth and perinatal complications after assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

We conducted a study of markers of endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis regulation, as well as the identification of the main lymphocyte populations, activated CD3 ⁺ CD95⁺-cells and cytokine-producing CD4 ⁺ IFN-γ⁺-, CD4 ⁺ IL-4⁺-lymphocytes in the 1st trimester of gestation in women with ART-induced pregnancy and spontaneous pregnancy. We used the same indicators to assess the immune status of ELBW infants at birth and at the post-conceptual age of 38–40 weeks. It was determined that the risk factors of very early preterm delivery are: threatened miscarriage, chronic placental insufficiency, endothelial dysfunction, increased spontaneous production of intracellular cytokines. Adverse perinatal outcomes in ELBW infants from ART-induced pregnancy are associated with lower anthropometric measures, low Apgar scores high level of inflammatory infections (pneumonia), grade II intraventricular hemorrhage, movement disorders in the form of lower paraparesis. Immune status of those infants is characterized by the increase in the number of CD8⁺- and CD3⁻CD16 ⁺ CD56⁺-lymphocytes, the expression level of Fas-receptor by T-cells, and the increased production of intracellular and serum IFNγ against the decrease in the number of CD4⁺-cells, which indicates enhancing of cytotoxic effector potential and proinflammatory orientation of cell responses.

• Assisted reproductive technology
• extremely low birth weight infants
• induced pregnancy

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest.