Poland anomaly after in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVES

To describe an extremely rare anomaly in an infant born after IVF-ET, and to assess its possible relationship to the artificial reproductive technology.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Infertility and IVF Unit, in a tertiary academic medical center.

PATIENT: A 31-year-old healthy patient with a 9-year history of secondary, unexplained infertility.

INTERVENTION: Standard IVF-ET treatment cycle, using GnRH-a (short protocol) and hMG for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

RESULTS

Poland anomaly (asymmetric thorax with absence of the right pectoralis major muscle, low set rudimentary right nipple, and very mild hypoplasia of the right upper limb) is described for the first time in an infant who is one of a trizygotic triplet after IVF treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the currently held hypothesis concerning the pathogenesis of Poland anomaly, the possibility of a teratogen or an event related to the reproductive procedure as the cause of this anomaly seems unlikely.