IS INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI) A SAFE PROCEDURE - WHAT DOWE LEARN FROM EARLY-PREGNANCY DATA ABOUT ICSI

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of the intracytoplasm ic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure by analysing early pregnancy data from ICSI and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, In all, 50 ICSI p regnancies were compared with 226 IVF pregnancies, Comparisons were ma de during the first 9 weeks after the theoretical last menstrual perio d (7 weeks after oocyte retrieval) with regard to epidemiological data , plasma hormonal concentrations and transvaginal ultrasonographical f indings, Although patients were significantly (P < 0.001) younger in I CSI (31 years) than in IVF pregnancies (33 years), their duration of i nfertility was similar, Miscarriage and multiple gestation rates were not significantly different in ICSI pregnancies (respectively 24 and 2 4%) from those found after IVF (32 and 29%), The probability of develo pmental arrest of the intrauterine sac (miscarriages and vanishing twi ns) was similar in both ICSI (16%) and IVF (25%) cases, The mean plasm a hormonal concentrations starting from day 11 after oocyte retrieval were similar in both groups, Every ICSI and IVF pregnancy showed an em bryo with cardiac activity at 7 weeks, Early pregnancy data did not sh ow any abnormal findings for pregnancies achieved using ICSI compared to those achieved by IVF.