ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

Pregnancy course and perinatal outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology with donor oocytes

Romanov A.Yu., Arfa M., Dolgushina N.V.

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia

Background. Pregnancy achieved through assisted reproductive technology with oocyte donation (donor oocyte IVF) is associated with a higher risk of obstetric complications compared with autologous oocyte IVF and spontaneous conception. 
Objective. To summarize evidence on pregnancy course, perinatal outcomes, and long-term child health after donor oocyte IVF.
Results. Available studies indicate higher rates of complications after donor oocyte IVF. The most consistent finding is an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia. There is also evidence of an increased incidence of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, as well as a higher rate of cesarean delivery and postpartum hemorrhage. The analysis of neonatal outcomes revealed signs of impaired early adaptation; however, no conclusive evidence of severe neonatal complications was found. Data on long-term outcomes in children following donor oocyte IVF are limited and currently do not demonstrate a clinically meaningful increase in long-term risks.
Conclusion: Donor oocyte IVF pregnancies require early risk stratification and personalized monitoring. Future research should rely on prospective cohorts and registries with due account taken of confounding factors.

Authors’ contributions. Romanov A.Yu., Dolgushina N.V. – developing the concept of the article and the design of the study; Arfa M., Romanov A.Yu. – analysis of the literature data, writing the text; Dolgushina N.V. – editing the text and final approval of the article.
Conflicts of interest. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Funding. The study was conducted as part of the PhD thesis by M. Arfa on the topic "Pregnancy outcomes and child health following ART programs using donor oocytes".
For citation: Romanov A.Yu., Arfa M., Dolgushina N.V. Pregnancy course and perinatal outcomes 
in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology with donor oocytes.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (5): 44-52 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.92

Keywords

assisted reproductive technologies
in vitro fertilization
donor oocytes
autologous oocytes
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
preeclampsia
preterm birth
fetal growth restriction
cesarean delivery
postpartum hemorrhage
neonatal outcomes
congenital anomalies
long-term outcomes

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Received 19.03.2026

Accepted 09.04.2026

About the Authors

Andrey Yu. Romanov, PhD, Head of the Department of Planning and Support of Scientific Projects, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparina str., 4, +7(903)158-94-00, a_romanov@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1821-8684
Arfa Mouhaned, PhD student at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology, and Reproductology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119991, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8/2, arfamouhaned@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4966-6830
Nataliya V. Dolgushina, Professor, Dr. Med. Sci., Deputy Director for Research, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparina str., 4, +7(495)438-49-77, n_dolgushina@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-138X
Corresponding author: Andrey Yu. Romanov, a_romanov@oparina4.ru

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