Ethnic background and in vitro fertilization outcomes

Objective: To compare IVF outcomes among women of different ethnic backgrounds. Method. This was a retrospective cohort study. Between August 1994 and March 1998, the first IVF cycles of 1039 white, 43 African American, 18 Hispanic, and 35 Asian women were examined. Result: Ages and day 3 FSH levels did not differ significantly among patients. African Americans weighed more than other ethnic groups and were also more likely to have tubal factor infertility than whites. IVF cycle characteristics did not vary among the ethnic groups with the exception that African Americans had a higher level of estradiol on day of HCG than whites. Pregnancy outcomes did not differ among the ethnic groups. The percentage of ectopic pregnancies, spontaneous abortions, and successful live births was similar among the groups. Conclusion: Our data showed no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes with IVF among the ethnic groups. (c) 2004 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.