The effects of pre-transfer endometrial thickness on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and birth weight in fresh embryo transfers and frozen-thawed embryo transfers

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) have become integral in managing infertility, with in vitro fertilization (IVF) being one of the most commonly employed methods. As the utilization of IVF continues to rise, understanding its associated risks and potential factors becomes paramount. This comprehensive review aims to explore the impact of endometrial thickness on pregnancy outcomes in ART cycles. Endometrial thickness, as assessed by pre-transfer ultrasound, serves as a crucial indicator of endometrial receptivity. Studies have demonstrated its significance in predicting the success of IVF and clinical pregnancy rates. However, limited literature exists regarding the effects of endometrial thickness on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and birth weight outcomes. Existing studies predominantly focus on either fresh transfers or frozen-thawed embryo transfers separately, with few encompassing both patient groups. Furthermore, fetal growth restriction (FGR) represents another pertinent concern in ART pregnancies. Lubchenco and colleagues classified fetal growth into three categories: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). FGR, characterized by a fetus failing to achieve its growth potential, poses significant implications for perinatal outcomes. In our study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of endometrial thickness measurements in ART cycles and correlated them with pregnancy outcomes, including hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and birth weight outcomes. Our findings suggest a significant association between endometrial thickness and these outcomes, highlighting the importance of endometrial assessment in optimizing ART success rates and improving maternal and neonatal health. This review underscores the necessity for further research to elucidate the relationship between endometrial thickness and pregnancy outcomes comprehensively. A deeper understanding of these associations can enhance clinical decision-making and optimize ART success rates, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal health. Key Words: IVF, preerclampsia, gestationel hypertension, SGA, birth weight