Maternal and neonatal outcomes after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger for final oocyte maturation in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rate of congenital anomalies, obstetrical complications, and neonatal complications in antagonist cycles where either GnRH agonist (GnRHa) or hCG was used for final oocyte maturation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University-based tertiary fertility center.

PATIENT(S): Three hundred ninety-two women under 40 years of age who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation using a GnRH antagonist protocol and who had final oocyte maturation triggered with either a GnRHa or hCG that resulted in pregnancy and delivery after 16 weeks' gestation.

INTERVENTION(S): GnRHa versus hCG trigger of final oocyte maturation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Congenital anomaly rates, obstetrical complications, and neonatal complications.

RESULT(S): There were no significant differences in the rate of congenital anomalies between GnRHa and hCG trigger (6.6 vs. 9.2%). There were also no differences in the maternal complications (27.6 vs. 20.8%) or neonatal complications (19.7 vs. 20.0%) between the GnRHa trigger and hCG trigger groups.

CONCLUSION(S): GnRHa trigger does not affect the rate of congenital anomalies or obstetrical or neonatal complications and remains a viable option in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.