Comparison of 18-24 Week In Vitro Fertilization Pregnants and Same Week Spotaneous Pregnancies From Fetal Thymus Volume

Objective: In patients conceived using assisted reproductive techniques, there is an increased risk of some complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight. It is assumed that cytoplasmic structures may be damaged during intracytoplasmic sperm injection during in vitro fertilization (IVF). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the second trimester fetal thymus size in spontaneous and IVF pregnant. Material method: In this prospective case study, 135 pregnant women who applied to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between July 2019 and July 2020 within the scope of second trimester anomaly screening for normal pregnancy follow-up and became pregnant spontaneously or by in vitro fertilization aged between 18-35 at the 18-24 weeks of pregnancy without high-risk pregnancies were evaluated. All participants' gravida, parity, body mass index, age and measurements of the fetus were recorded. Fetal thymus volumes and pregnancy week measured by VOCAL program were recorded in the same visit. The participants were followed up during pregnancy and the pregnancy week, type of delivery, whether there are any pregnancy complications, newborns gender, birth weight, whether there is a need for neonatal intensive care, pH of cord blood, cord blood gas base deficit, 1st abd 5th minutes APGAR scores after delivery were recorded seperatly. Results: Of the 135 pregnant women who volunteered to participate in the study, 74 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were accepted into the study. In cases conceived after IVF treatment, fetal thymus size was statistically significantly lower than in cases of spontaneous pregnancy (p<0.001). Compared to spontaneous pregnancy cases, the rate of any pregnancy complication was found to be statistically significantly higher in cases with IVF pregnancy (p=0.024). Conclusion: As a result of this study, by adding thymus volume measurement to the anomaly screening of IVF pregnancies, it is possible to predict complications that may develop in IVF pregnancies earlier. Thus, by identifying a group of patients at risk, close monitoring of these pregnant women and reducing fetal mortality and morbidity that may develop will be achieved.