In vitro fertilization is associated with the onset and progression of preeclampsia

Abstract Objective We aimed to estimate the risk of preeclampsia (PE) associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and potential predisposing factors responsible for the observed association. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 114485 pregnant women who delivered at the Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital between 2013 and 2018. Of the 114485 women, 4601 (4%) conceived through IVF (IVF group) and 109884 (96%) conceived spontaneously (SC group). We performed logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk of PE following IVF compared to spontaneous conception (SC). Then, we used propensity score matching analysis to compare the clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between IVF patients with and without PE. Result There were 1339 PE cases in the total study population, with a significantly higher incidence of PE in IVF relative to spontaneous pregnancies (6.1% vs. 1.0%, p  Conclusion IVF is associated with the onset and progression of PE. Defective placentation and placental insufficiency may predispose IVF patients to PE and may manifest as first-trimester bleeding.