The effect of age on in vitro fertilization outcome: is too young possible?

Purpose: The negative correlation between fecundity and age in women has been extensively documented although data on reproductive performance in very young women is sparse. The objective of this study was to determine whether age ≤25 years has an impact on reproductive outcome in women undergoing IVF-ET.

Methods: IVF outcome in 85 infertility patients aged 19-25 years was compared to that in 69 infertility patients aged 30-35 years. Primary outcomes included fertilization rates and embryo quality. Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates.

Results: The young patients (≤25 years) demonstrated a lower fertilization rate, and reduced number of top quality embryos. Although clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates were similar to their older counterparts (30-35 years), the young women had a significantly higher miscarriage rate.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrating poorer reproductive performance in very young patients were surprising and need further investigation.