Clinical pregnancy and live birth increase significantly with every additional blastocyst up to five and decline after that: an analysis of 16,666 first fresh single-blastocyst transfers from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology registry.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the number of blastocysts available and pregnancy outcomes in first fresh autologous single blastocyst transfer cycles. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Patients from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reporting fertility clinics (n=16,666). INTERVENTIONS(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy (CP), live birth (LB), and miscarriage rates. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the number of blastocysts and each outcome. RESULT(S): When comparing fresh single blastocyst transfer rates, the odds of a positive pregnancy outcome (CP) increased significantly with each additional supernumerary blastocyst up to five and declined by 2% for every additional blastocyst after five. Similarly, the odds of an LB was 17% higher for each additional blastocyst up to five and declined by 2% for every additional blastocyst after five. There was no significant association between blastocyst number and miscarriage rate. CONCLUSION(S): Odds of positive pregnancy outcomes (CP, LB) increased significantly with every additional blastocyst up to five, but declined after that, in first fresh autologous cycles with single-blastocyst transfer. The decline after five may be explained by a detrimental effect on endometrial receptivity in patients with a large number of oocytes or inadequate selection of the best embryo for transfer based on morphology alone.

Clinical pregnancy (CP) and live birth (LB) increase significantly with each additional fertilized oocyte up to nine, and CP and LB decline after that: an analysis of 15,803 first fresh in vitro fertilization cycles from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology registry.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the total number of fertilized oocytes available and pregnancy outcomes in first fresh IVF cycles with a single blastocyst transfer. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): A total of 15,803 patients from SART reporting fertility clinics. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy (CP), live birth (LB), and miscarriage rates. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the number of fertilized eggs and each outcome. RESULT(S): The median number of total oocytes was 15, and the median number of fertilized oocytes was nine. The odds of a clinical pregnancy were 8% higher for each additional fertilized oocyte up to nine (odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.10) and declined by 9% for every additional fertilized oocyte after nine (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.89-0.94). Similarly, the odds of an LB was 8% higher for every additional fertilized oocyte up to none (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06-1.10) and declined by 8% for every additional fertilized oocyte over nine (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.90-0.94). CONCLUSION(S): Odds of pregnancy outcomes (CP, LB) increase significantly with every additional fertilized oocyte up to nine, and CP and LB decline after that in first fresh autologous cycles with a single blastocyst transfer.

Abnormal Vaginal Pap Test Results After Hysterectomy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal vaginal cytology and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) and vaginal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women with no history of abnormal cytologic screening who had a hysterectomy for conditions other than cervical dysplasia and cancer and to explore the risk factors associated with VAIN and vaginal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed identifying 238 women between January 2000 and January 2015 with a history of HIV, previous hysterectomy, and no previous abnormal Pap test results. Medical records from patients with both HIV and a history of hysterectomy were reviewed from Thomas Street Health Center and Northwest Community Health Center. RESULTS: Among 238 women, 164 (69%) had normal Pap test results, 12 (5%) had results showing atypical cells of undermined significance and human papillomavirus-positive, 55 (23.1%) had results showing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and seven (2.9%) had results showing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. No demographic risk factor was associated with abnormal Pap test results after hysterectomy. Median follow-up time for the Pap test was 16 years. Of those who underwent vaginal biopsies for abnormal Pap test results, 15 (28%) had normal results, 23 (43%) had VAIN 1, nine (16%) had VAIN 2, and seven (13%) had VAIN 3. No patients had invasive vaginal cancer. CONCLUSION: More than 30% of HIV-infected women who had no prehysterectomy history of abnormal Pap test results had abnormal vaginal Pap test results. Among those who had vaginal biopsies, 29% had VAIN 2 or 3, suggesting that Pap testing posthysterectomy in the HIV population may be indicated.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM): outcomes of delivery at 32(°/7)-33(6/7) weeks after confirmed fetal lung maturity (FLM) versus expectant management until 34(°/7) weeks.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) delivered prior to 34(°/7) weeks upon confirmation of fetal lung maturity (FLM) to those managed expectantly until 34(°/7) weeks. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of non-anomalous singleton gestations with PPROM occurring after 24 weeks delivered between 32(°/7) and 34(°/7) weeks from 2004 to 2012. Patients delivered upon documented FLM (+FLM)--defined as the presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) at 32(°/7)-33(6/7) weeks if amniotic fluid was obtainable vaginally--were compared with patients delivered without documented FLM between 32(°/7) and 34(°/7) weeks (expectant). Primary outcomes included maternal infection (clinically diagnosed endometritis or chorioamnionitis), placental abruption and a composite of neonatal morbidities (including but not limited to mechanical ventilation, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis and respiratory distress syndrome). Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical data. Covariates were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression and adjusted odds ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Of 237 PPROMs delivered at 32(°/7)-34(°/7) weeks, 74 were intentionally delivered for +FLM and 163 were expectantly managed. No cord prolapse or stillbirth was observed. Maternal infection (chorioamnionitis or endometritis) was lower in the +FLM group (aOR 0.33 95% CI 0.12-0.88). Overall, there was no difference in composite neonatal morbidity did not differ between the two groups (aOR 1.36 95% CI 0.53-3.54). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PPROM, delivery after confirmation of FLM at 32(°/7)-33(6/7) weeks compared with expectant management until 34(°/7) weeks may prevent maternal infection without increasing neonatal morbidity.

Abnormal Vaginal Pap Test After Hysterectomy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal vaginal cytology and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) and vaginal cancer in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women with no history of abnormal cytologic screening who had a hysterectomy for conditions other than cervical dysplasia and cancer; and to explore the risk factors associated with VAIN and vaginal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed identifying 238 women between January 2000 to January 2015 with a history of HIV, previous hysterectomy, and no previous abnormal Pap tests. Medical records from patients with both HIV and history of hysterectomy were reviewed from Thomas Street Health Center and Northwest Community Health Center. RESULTS: Among 238 women, 164(69%) had normal Pap test results, 12(5%) had results showing atypical cells of undermined significance and human papillomavirus-positive, 55(23.1%) had results showing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 7(2.9%) had results showing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. No demographic risk factor was associated with abnormal Pap test after hysterectomy. Median follow-up time for the Pap test was 16 years. Of those who underwent vaginal biopsies for an abnormal Pap test, 15(28%) were normal, 23(43%) were VAIN1, 9(16%) were VAIN2, and 7(13%) were VAIN3. No patients had invasive vaginal cancer. CONCLUSION: Over 30% of HIV-infected women who had no pre-hysterectomy history of an abnormal Pap test had abnormal vaginal Pap tests. Among those who had vaginal biopsies, 29% had VAIN2 or VAIN3, suggesting that Pap tests post-hysterectomy in the HIV population may be indicated.