Impact of Women Obesity and Obesity Severity on Live Birth Rate after In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

Access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for obese women varies across centers, and the impact of obesity on IVF outcomes is widely discussed. We assessed the impact of obesity and its severity on live birth rate (LBR) after IVF. We included women treated for IVF in our center. Data were prospectively collected in the BabySentryTM software. LBR per cycle and cumulative LBR including all attempts of the couple were calculated, considering transfer of both fresh and frozen embryos. Of 1588 included women (2379 controlled ovarian stimulations), 70.2%, 19.5%, 7.9%, and 2.4% were normal-weight, overweight, class I obesity, and class II/III obesity, respectively. For each cycle, LBR did not differ according to BMI category. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for obtaining a live birth at the first cycle were 1.11 (0.78–1.58) for overweight, 1.17 (0.70–1.95) for class I obese, and 1.05 (0.48–2.31) for class II/III obese women, as compared with normal-weight women. Similarly, no significant associations were found at cycles 2, 3, and 4. Cumulative LBR increased with the number of cycles, independently of the BMI class (p log-rank = 0.91). After adjustment, obesity status did not impact significantly the miscarriage rate, regardless of the cycle. In conclusion, neither women obesity nor its severity impacted the cumulative LBR after IVF.

Keywords

• assisted reproductive technology
• in vitro fertilization
• live birth
• obesity
• body mass index
• controlled ovarian stimulation