The Effect of Female Obesity on Live Birth Rate Following IVF: A Systematic Review

Yousef Mohammed Elamin; Amal Saad Saeed  Aseeri; Ebtihaj Abdulmonem  Aljorfi; Narjis  Bakkar; Fares Alkindi; Samia Mohammad Abdalameen  Badea; Zahra’a Khalil Ebraheem Al Najjar; Sara Safar Abdullah  Alshehri; Hadeel Salem Alwagdani; Maryam Abdu Ali  Alzubaidi; Ahmad Mohammed Zaini Rambo; Ali Abdullah Mousa  Almazeedi

doi:10.54293/smhj.v5i2.147

Authors

Yousef Mohammed Elamin Obstetric and Gynecology Consultant, Abha maternity and children hospital MOH, Abha, KSA.
Amal Saad Saeed Aseeri Obstetric and Gynecology Resident, King Saud University Medical City, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7141-7331
Ebtihaj Abdulmonem Aljorfi Obstetric and Gynecology Resident, King Saud Medical City, Cluster 1, Riyadh, KSA.
Narjis Bakkar OBGYN Resident, Khobar, King Fahad University Hospital, KSA.
Fares Alkindi Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident in King Fahad Hospital at Albaha, KSA.
Samia Mohammad Abdalameen Badea Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, King Faisal Medical Complex (MOH), KSA.
Zahra’a Khalil Ebraheem Al Najjar Obstetric and Gynecology Resident, Al Ahsaa Maternity and Children's Hospital (MCH), KSA.
Sara Safar Abdullah Alshehri Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, King Fahad Military Complex Dhahran, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6964-501X
Hadeel Salem Alwagdani Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident, Dr. Sulaiman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah, KSA.
Maryam Abdu Ali Alzubaidi Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident in King Fahad Hospital at Albaha, KSA.
Ahmad Mohammed Zaini Rambo Obstetric and Gynecology Resident, Hera General Hospital, KSA.
Ali Abdullah Mousa Almazeedi Obstetric and Gynecology Resident, King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, KSA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v5i2.147

Keywords:

Obesity; In vitro fertilization; Live birth rate; Body mass index; Reproductive health; Systematic review; Female fertility; Assisted reproductive technology.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of female obesity on live birth rates (LBR) after in vitro fertilization (IVF). A comprehensive search of four databases identified 881 relevant publications. After duplicate removal using Rayyan QCRI and relevance screening, 475 full-text articles were reviewed, with seven studies ultimately meeting inclusion criteria. The results showed that the live birth rate in studies of obese women undergoing IVF treatment showed considerable variability, ranging from 25.2% to 64.2%, with an overall mean of 41.2%. Control groups had live birth rates between 22.6% and 72.4%, with a mean of 57.7%. Research suggests that obesity significantly impacts live birth rates, particularly among younger women, with a general trend showing that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower birth rates. Some studies did not observe any effect of obesity, suggesting that other factors may also be crucial. Findings from different regions highlight a complex relationship between obesity and reproductive outcomes, with some studies suggesting a direct association, while others suggest a more subtle interaction depending on BMI level. Ultimately, this systematic review confirms a complex link between female obesity and lower LBR after IVF, emphasizing the importance of considering obesity in IVF treatment planning. The study recommends further research with more rigorous designs and consistent BMI criteria to enhance understanding and improve IVF outcomes in obese patients.