Health outcomes of school-aged children conceived using donor sperm

Comparing the psychological outcomes of donor and non-donor conceived people: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Over 70 000 donor-conceived (DC) people have been born in the UK since 1991. Little is known about their long-term psychological outcomes and no systematic review has assessed these.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a systematic review of the psychological experiences of DC people through childhood and adulthood (Prospero: CRD42021257863).

SEARCH STRATEGY

Searches of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), the Excerpta Medica database (Embase), MEDLINE® and PsycINFO, conducted on 4 January 2024.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Quantitative and qualitative studies were included if: there were five or more participants; they were peer reviewed; and any DC psychological outcomes were assessed. No limits on date, language or country were applied.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Double screening, selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed, using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoring.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifty studies (with 4666 DC participants), mostly from high-income anglophone countries, with heterogeneity of design, populations and outcome measures, were included. Of 19 comparative studies, 14 found no difference in outcomes between DC and non-DC people, ten found better outcomes (in health, well-being, self-esteem and emotional warmth) and six found worse outcomes (increased autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, addiction issues, mental illness, disruptive behaviour and identity problems). Qualitative data revealed common themes relating to identity formation, mistrust and concerns regarding genetic heritage. The evidence regarding adulthood outcomes was very limited.

CONCLUSIONS

The research on DC individuals presents a nuanced picture, with most studies suggesting comparable or improved outcomes in terms of well-being and relationships, but with a notable minority indicating higher rates of mental health and identity struggles. Qualitative findings underscore common negative experiences, whereas the early disclosure of DC status appears beneficial for psychological well-being.

Child health after preimplantation genetic testing

RESEARCH QUESTION

Despite the increasing use of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for aneuploidy and monogenic diseases, for children conceived using PGT there is limited follow-up beyond 2 years of age. This study examined the health, well-being and development of school-aged children (5-8 years old) conceived following PGT.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of children conceived after IVF with PGT (exposed cohort) and children conceived after IVF without PGT (unexposed cohort) at two IVF clinics in Melbourne, born between 2000 and 2008, recruited with a 1:2 ratio. Mothers of the children completed a questionnaire asking child-specific questions regarding health and well-being, mental health, development, educational achievement and family-specific questions regarding family functioning and parent-child attachment.

RESULTS

A total of 155 participants were recruited to the PGT cohort and 303 participants to the IVF-only cohort. There were no differences between the two cohorts with regards to maternal characteristics, birth defect frequency and pregnancy characteristics, apart from delivery by Caesarean section, which was more frequent in PGT singletons (55%) compared with IVF-only singletons (36%). While no significant differences between the PGT and IVF-only cohorts were found for the majority of general health and psychological scales, there were differences when compared with population data. Children in the exposed cohort appeared to have more positive outcomes in many of the measures.

CONCLUSION

The data from this study suggest that PGT does not cause adverse outcomes in children. However, the nature (self-report) and small sample size of the study must be taken into consideration when interpreting the data.

Self-reported physical health status of donor sperm-conceived adults

Donor-conceived neonates have poorer birth outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm delivery that are associated with poorer long-term health in adulthood through the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) theory. The aim of this study was to conduct the first investigation of the adult health outcomes of donor-conceived people. An online health survey was completed by 272 donor sperm-conceived adults and 877 spontaneously conceived adults from around the world. Donor and spontaneously conceived groups were matched for age, sex, height, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, own fertility and maternal smoking. Donor sperm-conceived adults had significantly higher reports of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (P = 0.031), thyroid disease (P = 0.031), acute bronchitis (P = 0.008), environmental allergies (P = 0.046), sleep apnoea (P = 0.037) and having ear tubes/grommets surgically implanted (P = 0.046). This is the first study to investigate the health outcomes of adult donor sperm-conceived people. Donor sperm-conceived adults self-reported elevated frequencies of various health conditions. The outcomes are consistent with birth defect data from donor sperm treatment and are consistent with the DOHaD linking perturbed early growth and chronic disease in adulthood.