Work

In vitro fertilization outcomes and alcohol consumption in at‐risk drinkers: The effects of a randomized intervention

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Women's use of alcohol in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of fetal loss and birth defects. Also, alcohol use in women decreases the success of infertility treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Our goal was to determine if there were differences in IVF outcomes and alcohol use parameters among at-risk drinkers randomized to a brief intervention (BI) versus assessment only (AO). METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of BI or AO among at-risk drinkers on IVF. We studied 37 women (AO = 21; BI = 16). RESULTS: While the BI group had a significantly greater decrease in the number of drinks/drinking day compared to the AO group (p = .04), there were no differences in the likelihood of implantation failure, chemical pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, or live birth. CONCLUSIONS: BI and AO contributed to a decrease in alcohol use and did not demonstrate differences in IVF outcomes. A larger study may confirm these preliminary findings. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our results will assist care providers in treating alcohol use in pregnancy in an effective way, such that IVF cycles and the chance of pregnancy are optimized.

Source: American Journal on Addictions

DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.12019.x

Authors: Brooke V. Rossi, Grace Chang, Katharine F. Berry, Mark D. Hornstein, Stacey A. Missmer

Institutions: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism