2. Irani Sh.* (B.Sc.&PHD), Javam M. (B.Sc), Ahmadi F. (MD)
Prenatal Evaluation of High Risk Pregnancies following Invitro-Fertilization:
“Reduce Mother and Fetus Mortality Rates!”
Irani Sh.* (B.Sc.&PHD), Javam M. (B.Sc), Ahmadi F. (MD)
Department of Reproductive Imaging at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

3. What’s the issue ?
The use of assisted-reproduction technologies has increased over the past decade!
Pregnancies following IVF are associated with higher risk of obstetric morbidities and perinatal mortality and several studies have demonstrated that the rate of prenatal complications is significantly more frequent in IVF-conceived pregnancies compared to spontaneous pregnancies.

4. Results
Population
Country
Author (year)
Ante-partum hemorrhage
congenital anomalies
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HTN)
preterm rupture of membranes (PROM)
cesarean section (CS)
low birth weight (LBW)
perinatal mortality (P.M)
preterm delivery (PTD)
gestational diabetes
small for gestational age
Metha analysis
(20 Studies) UK
Shilpi pandy
2012
Multiple pregnancy
P.M
PTD
LBW CS
placenta previa (P.P)
congenital abnormalities
Reduction
Review article
canada
Vicoriam
(2006)
Overall failure of pregnancy: 21,7%
Twins: (%17/1)
Death after positive FHR : 12,2%
Twins: 7,3%
1597
single 1200
Twin 397
belgium
Philippe Tummers (2003)
Less average birth weight
283
croatia
Du valtka (2005)
Bleeding
ovarian torsion
preeclampsia
placental abruption
PROM
P.P -
sweden
Bengt kallen
( )
Single : HTN / bleeding / maternal complication
Twins : CS / bleeding / preterm labor / LBW
Single : 322
Twin : 78
Germany
Odsenkuhn.R
( )

5. Thus, a proper prenatal evaluation is required in this group to protect mother and fetus health!
Sonographic examination during pregnancy is a helping method to detect pregnancy complications and to organize a proper “prenatal care” for IVF-conceived women.
We provide a clinical instruction for sonographic assessment of pregnancies following IVF and management of patients based on reports:

6. 1st trimester :
Goals of first ultrasound scan of IVF-resulted pregnancies:
To assure a normal “intrauterine” pregnancy!
To rule out emergency conditions that are a threat to mother’s health:
* Ectopic or Heterotopic Pregnancy is shown to be 5-10 times more prevalent
than general population!
* Molar pregnancy & threatened abortion are also more frequent in this group
To establish gestational age “accurately” and to confirm fetus viability

7. the number of gestational sacs, amnions, and yolk sacs
To determine the number of fetuses and chorionicity-amnionicity in multiple pregnancies based on:
the number of gestational sacs, amnions, and yolk sacs
D-D twins
(DZ)
M-D twins
(MZ)
M-M twins
(MZ)

9. 1st trimester complications:
1. Bleeding
with IUP:
without IUP:
Failed pregnancy (missed AB FHR -)
Hemorrhage
Partial mole (less common)
An embryonic
Heterotopic pregnancy (rare)
Interestitial / cervical EP (rare)
Twin demise
Complete Abortion
Very early pregnancy
Retained product of P.
Tubal ectopic
Complete hydatyform Mole (less common)
Abdominal ectopic (rare)

10. 2. Pain: Hemorrhagic cyst Corpus Luteum cyst EP OHSS Adnexal torsion
Appendicitis (less common)

11. 3. Discrepancy between GA and ET-date:
GS without fetal pole
Fetal pole without FHR
Fetal pole with FHR
Multiple fetuses
blighted ovum or not ?
(GS diameter <20mm or >20mm?)
monitor sonography recommended
(based on previous exams)
follow-up within weeks 11-14
follow-up studies based on chorionicity

12. 1st trimester Anomaly Screening
Some embriologists believe that the risk of fetal anomalies in IVF-resulted embryos is a bit higher!
Thus, a careful examination needs to be done for anomaly screening in this group.
First anomaly scan contains “Nuchal Translucency” measurement and look for structural abnormalities within 11th-14th weeks.
Further investigations are recommended in case of increased risk.

13. First Trimester
Anomaly Screening

14. 2nd & 3rd trimesters :
Second and third trimester have are vital periods of fetal growth.
There are several complications which have adverse affects on this event.
Sonography is helpful for early detection of risks for most of these complications such as vaginal bleeding, IUGR, preterm birth, etc.

15. 1. Cervical Insufficiency:
A prevalent cause of preterm birth
among these women
Early diagnosis & decision for cerclage
placement can reduce PTB rate.
Screening method:
- Serial cervical length measurement by means of TAS or TVS (preferred)
- At least twice during 2nd trimester (before 20th week)

16. 2. Bleeding: Common reasons: Placenta previa Marginal sinus previa
Placenta accreta spectrum
Less common:
Succenturiate lobe
Placenta accreta
Placenta abruption
Cesarean section rupture
Marginal previa

17. 3. PROM & oligohydroamnios:
Maximum Vertical pocket<2cm , AFI < 5cm
Early oligohydroamnios: <25 week
Prolonged oligohydroamnios : >14 days
D.D: PROM / IUGR /Renal agenesis /bladder outlet obstruction / TTTS in multiples
Serial monitoring sonographies are essential

18. 4. Growth Restriction: Fetal weight < %10 percentile
IUGR differential diagnosis approach:
Rule out fetal anomaly as cause for IUGR
Amniocentesis if fetal anomaly suspected
Consider maternal medical history
Assess amniotic fluid
Assess fetal / placental circulation
Differentiate between symmetric vs. asymmetric IUGR
Doppler Examination
Biophysical profile (BPP) if needed

19. 5. Gestational Diabetes and Pre-eclampsia:
- Consider fetal growth and probable discrepancy
- Mention to placenta size and shape
- Assess A.F.I
- Use Color Doppler to check blood circulation if needed
- BPP if prescribed

20. 6. Multiple Gestations:

21. Discrepancy between multiples:
“Consider Chorionicity!”
Follow up sonography every 2 weeks

22. TTTS:

23. Recommendation for US exams:
1. Early first trimester ( 6 𝑡ℎ to 8 𝑡ℎ week of gestation): To confirm intra uterine pregnancy (IUP) and to rule out ectopic pregnancy (EP), to ensure fetal heart activity, diagnosis of multiple pregnancy and estimation of gestational age.
2. Late first trimester ( 11 𝑡ℎ to 14 𝑡ℎ week): To evaluation fetal growth, to assess fetal structural malformations (like Anencephaly, etc.) and detection of anomaly markers (measuring nuchal translucency) to find out high risk patients.
3. Second trimester ( 18 𝑡ℎ to 22 𝑡ℎ week): Evaluation of fetal growth, to assess fetal structural malformations and anomaly markers (measuring nuchal fold & nasal bone) to detect high risk patients, diagnosis of cervical insufficiency and need to “cerclage placement”.
4. Third trimester ( 28 𝑡ℎ to 32 𝑡ℎ week): Evaluation of fetal growth and weight, measuring amniotic fluid index (AFI), assessment of fetal structural abnormalities (such as hydrocephaly, etc.) and Biophysical Profile (if needed).

24. Conclusion:
Prenatal sonography is an accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective tool that helps midwives and obstetricians to evaluate mother and fetus health and detection of pregnancy complications to give better prenatal care for pregnant women, especially for those who became pregnant after IVF treatment.
A proper “prenatal care” can be organized based on sonography reports.

25. Thanks
for
your
Attention!