Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss)‎ in assisted reproductive technology : an updated review of incidence and obstetric outcome in qatar

Abstract EN

Objectives: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can be a severe and potentially life threatening complication of ovarian stimulation for IVF.

The object of this study was to review the incidence of severe OHSS, the conception rate and the characteristics of the pregnancies associated with it in the assisted conception unit (ACU) in Doha, Qatar.

Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study.

Results: The incidence of severe OHSS was calculated at 0.45% in the study period which extended from April 1993 to December 2000; pregnancy rate per ovum pick-up was 71.4%.

Take home baby rate was only 33% although pregnancy rate per fresh embryo transfer was 90%.

Five cases (33%) occurred where no risk factor or only one factor of the accepted high risk factors for severe OHSS was found.

Prophylactic IV albumin administration during and immediately after oocyte retrieval was performed in six (40%) of those cases complicated by OHSS; withholding embryo transfe rwas done in four (26.7%) who were at risk of severe OHSS, coasting (withholding) gonadotropin stimulation was done in two cases 13% where oestradiol concentrations were very high.

Conclusions: One third of cases of severe OHSS had not previously shown risk criteria.

Effective preventive strategies are still needed in order to avoid or attenuate the course of severe OHSS without compromising the pregnancy rate.