Search

Multiple births and related complications have increased with the widespread use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in recent years. The aim of this multicenter study of the Turkish Neonatal Society was to evaluate the effects of ART on neonatal morbidity and mortality in Turkey. Between February-December 2006, data from 18 different centers were prospectively collected and analyzed. Of the 6356 newborns recruited in this study, 793 infants (12.5%) were conceived with ART. Eighty-seven percent of the study population was singleton, 10.9% was twin and 1.4% was triplet. Sixty-two percent of the multiples were conceived with ART. Prematurity, multiple births and very low birth weight were more frequent in the ART group. The frequencies of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions and surfactant and mechanical ventilation along with morbidities such as intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, and mortality were higher in ART infants. ART-induced pregnancies carry higher risks of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Couples considering ART should be informed about the possible maternal and neonatal risks of ART and multiple gestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the relationship of infant mortality with socio-demographical characteristics and prenatal-natal service utility. Materials and Methods: The case control study was carried out in Konya province in 2007. The infants of whom provincial directorate of health was informed as dead during a year were the case group; the infants who were selected via one-to-one correspondence method, born alive and still live were the control group. Addresses of 541 infants were visited to gain the consent of mothers and information was collected via survey. Besides, infant and child monitoring forms, household determination form of the family, pregnant and puerperal monitoring forms were evaluated. Information about 444 cases and controls in total was gathered except for the ones that could not be reached due to various reasons. Results: Of 444 infants who were dead in a year in Konya province and whose families and records could be reached 57.0% were male, 43.0% female, and 64.4% were dead early neonatal, 7.9% late neonatal and 27.7% post neonatal. Of the mothers of the dead infants 4.1% were at age 18 and under, 14.6% at age 35 and over. Infant mortality was correlated with low birth weight, not paying home visits during pregnancy, 4 and more pregnancies, kin marriage and pregnancy gap being less than 2 years. No relationship between other demographical and fertility characteristics and infant death was determined. Result: It was found out that to develop the number and quality of monitoring in pregnancy, and to hinder consanguineous marriage and extreme fertility may decrease infant mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]