Comparison of congenital malformations among babies born after administration of letrozole or clomiphene citrate for infertility treatment in a Korean cohort

Reprod Toxicol. 2018 Dec:82:88-93. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.10.006. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Abstract

This retrospective study investigated and compared the incidence of congenital foetal anomalies after letrozole versus clomiphene citrate (CC) administration for infertility treatment. Data from 142 newborns were included: letrozole group, n = 83; CC group, n = 61. Congenital anomalies were found in 7.2% (6/83) patients in the letrozole group and 18.0% (11/61) patients in the CC group, with no significant between-group difference (p = .066). Major congenital anomaly rate was 2.4% (2/83) in the letrozole group and 3.3% (2/61) in the CC group, with no significant between-group difference (p > 0.999). There was no significant difference in major and minor congenital anomalies between the groups after excluding premature infants (birth at a gestational age of <37 weeks), low birth weight, and very low birth weight. The results of this study demonstrate the stability of letrozole compared to that of CC for infertility treatment in pregnant women.

Keywords: Clomiphene citrate; Congenital anomaly; Infertility treatment; Letrozole.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Asian People
  • Clomiphene / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Fertility Agents, Female / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infertility, Female / drug therapy
  • Letrozole / therapeutic use*
  • Male

Substances

  • Aromatase Inhibitors
  • Fertility Agents, Female
  • Clomiphene
  • Letrozole