Scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that taking prednisolone does not increase the chances of success in IVF. The research was published in the journal JAMA.
The study included 715 women from eight fertility centers in China who had a history of two or more failed embryo transfer cycles after IVF. 357 patients received prednisolone 10 mg tablets once daily from the day endometrial preparation for embryo transfer began. 358 participants received a placebo.
Live births occurred in 37.8% of women in the prednisolone group and 38.8% of women in the placebo group. Premature birth was 5.5% more common in the prednisolone group versus 11.8%. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of other pregnancy complications or mean infant birth weight.
“Evidence suggests that use of prednisolone may increase the risk of preterm birth and biochemical pregnancy. Scientists say our results question the value of using prednisolone in clinical practice for the treatment of recurrent failed implantation.