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. 2020 May 19;35(6):1262–1266. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deaa064

Table I.

A hypothetical relationship between IVF and preterm birth mediated through multiple gestations.

RR of preterm birth
Total effect of IVF on preterm birth 2.3
Natural direct effect (independent of multiple gestations) 1.2
Natural indirect effect (attributed to multiple gestations) 1.9
Proportion mediated by multiple gestations* 84%

RR: risk ratio

*Calculated as RRNDE(RRNIE − 1)/(RRNDE × RRNIE − 1) (Vanderweele and Vansteelandt 2010).