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Wang W, Meng Q, Hu L, Du J, Xu B, Han X, Liu X, Zhou K, Ke K, Gan M, Zhu X, Peng Y, Xue H, Xiao S, Lv H, Jiang Y, Jiang T, Ma H, Ling X, Hu Z, Lin Y. Assisted reproductive technology and neurodevelopment in children at 1 year of age: a longitudinal birth cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024:S0002-9378(24)00625-2. [PMID: 38782229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With remarkable advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART), the number of ART-conceived children continues to increase. Despite increased research investigating the outcomes of ART children, evidence on neurodevelopment remains controversial. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ART use and neurodevelopment in children at 1 year of age and to determine whether the characteristics of parental infertility and specific ART procedures affect neurodevelopment in children. STUDY DESIGN The Jiangsu Birth Cohort enrolled couples who received ART treatment and who conceived spontaneously (2014-2020) in Jiangsu Province, China. In this study, we included 3531 pregnancies with 3840 cohort children who completed neurodevelopment assessment at 1 year of age, including 1906 infants conceived by ART (including 621 twins). Poisson regressions were fitted to estimate unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ART use with neurodevelopmental outcomes (cognition, receptive communication, expressive communication, fine motor, and gross motor) in children. RESULTS Among singletons, ART use was associated with a 24% to 34% decrease in the risk for noncompetent development in 3 domains (cognition, adjusted RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53-0.82; receptive communication, 0.76; 0.64-0.91; expressive communication, 0.69; 0.51-0.93) after adjustment for conventional covariates. However, an inverse association was observed in the gross motor domain, with ART singletons having a greater risk of being noncompetent in gross motor development than their non-ART counterparts (adjusted RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.11-1.79). Compared with singletons, twins resulting from ART treatment demonstrated compromised neurodevelopment in several domains. Furthermore, we continued to observe that the transfer of 'poor' quality embryos was associated with greater risks for noncompetent development in receptive communication (adjusted RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.05-2.14) and gross motor domains (1.55; 1.02-2.36) among ART singletons. CONCLUSION These results generally provide reassuring evidence among singletons born after ART in the cognition, communication, and fine motor domains, but drawn attention to their gross motor development. The quality of transferred embryos in ART treatment might be associated with offspring neurodevelopment; however, the potential associations warrant further validation in independent studies, and the clinical significance needs careful interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingxia Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Reproductive Genetic Center, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingmin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Reproduction, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiangbo Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiumei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kang Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xianxian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuting Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huixin Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuxin Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hong Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yangqian Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiufeng Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Reproduction, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health (Suzhou Centre), The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Schottler NI, Sutcliffe AG. Children born to subfertile couples, how are they doing? Evidence from research. Arch Dis Child 2024:archdischild-2023-326023. [PMID: 38589201 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
More than 10 million children have been born with assisted reproductive technology (ART) as we begin to enter the third generation of individuals conceived by ART. Here we summarise key messages from an enlarging body of literature regarding their health. Earlier research had pointed towards increases in perinatal, neonatal and neurological risks, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital malformations and cerebral palsy. Many of these risks have continued to persist in most recent work but have shown reduction. Newer research proposes long-term cardiometabolic and endocrine concerns. Fortunately, most reports conclude there is little or no risk of increased childhood malignancy or abnormal neurodevelopment. Moving forward, new research may benefit from changes in comparator groups and a better understanding of infertility per se in ART, and the confounding role it probably plays in many of the known risk associations, to reliably scan the horizon for health threats for individuals born after ART.
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Zhang S, Luo Q, Meng R, Yan J, Wu Y, Huang H. Long-term health risk of offspring born from assisted reproductive technologies. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:527-550. [PMID: 38146031 PMCID: PMC10957847 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02988-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the world's first in vitro fertilization baby was born in 1978, there have been more than 8 million children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide, and a significant proportion of them have reached puberty or young adulthood. Many studies have found that ART increases the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, small size for gestational age, perinatal mortality, and congenital anomalies. However, data regarding the long-term outcomes of ART offspring are limited. According to the developmental origins of health and disease theory, adverse environments during early life stages may induce adaptive changes and subsequently result in an increased risk of diseases in later life. Increasing evidence also suggests that ART offspring are predisposed to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, such as malignancies, asthma, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize the risks for long-term health in ART offspring, discuss the underlying mechanisms, including underlying parental infertility, epigenetic alterations, non-physiological hormone levels, and placental dysfunction, and propose potential strategies to optimize the management of ART and health care of parents and children to eliminate the associated risks. Further ongoing follow-up and research are warranted to determine the effects of ART on the long-term health of ART offspring in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qinyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renyu Meng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yanting Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Research Unit of Embryo Original Diseases (No. 2019RU056), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Research Unit of Embryo Original Diseases (No. 2019RU056), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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Palma M, Fitzsimons E, Patalay P, Goisis A. Medically assisted reproduction and mental health in adolescence: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:275-284. [PMID: 37559560 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number and proportion of children conceived through medically assisted reproduction (MAR) is steadily increasing yet the evidence on their mental health in adolescence is inconclusive. Two main mechanisms with opposite effects can explain differences in mental health outcomes by conception mode: while more advantaged parental characteristics could positively influence it, higher parental stress could have a negative influence. METHODS Linear and logistic estimations on a longitudinal population-based birth cohort study of 9,897 individuals to investigate whether adolescents conceived through MAR are more likely than naturally conceived (NC) children to experience mental health problems at age 17, as reported by adolescents themselves and their parents. We test whether this association is confounded and/or mediated by parental background characteristics collected when the cohort member was around 9 months old (maternal age, maternal education level, ethnicity, income quintile), family structure variables measured in adolescence (number of siblings in the household at age 15, parental household structure at age 14) or maternal distress at age 14. RESULTS Children conceived naturally and through MAR self-reported similar mental health outcomes. The only differences between MAR and NC adolescents are in the parental reports, with parents who conceived through MAR reporting their children had 3.82 (95% CI: 1.140 to 11.54) and 2.35 (95% CI: 1.145 to 4.838) higher odds of falling within the high category of SDQ total difficulties and emotional symptoms scales, respectively. The results did not change on adjustment for mediators, such as maternal distress, number of siblings in the household and parental household structure. CONCLUSIONS The results reveal a lack of or small differences in MAR adolescents' mental health outcomes compared to children who were conceived naturally. While the results based on the parental reports could suggest that MAR adolescents are at higher risk of suffering from mental health problems, the differences are small and not supported by adolescents' own reports. The difference between MAR and NC adolescent's parental report might reflect differences in parental concern, their relationship or closeness and can help to reconcile the mixed findings of previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Palma
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emla Fitzsimons
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Praveetha Patalay
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Lifelong Health and Ageing Unit, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Goisis
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
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Asada Y. Evolution of intracytoplasmic sperm injection: From initial challenges to wider applications. Reprod Med Biol 2024; 23:e12582. [PMID: 38803410 PMCID: PMC11129627 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized infertility treatment. Nevertheless, male infertility requires more effective solutions. In 1992, the first-ever case of human birth via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was reported. ICSI involves microscopically injecting a sperm into an ovum. Successful ICSI has become a reliable therapy for couples facing infertility, a significant milestone. However, it has also introduced various challenges. This study also delves into ethical dilemmas arising from widespread ICSI use. Methods This review traces the history of ICSI, presenting pioneering attempts, first successful attempts, and critical reports on account of the initial skepticism toward the technology. The review also focuses on chronological progress until ICSI was recognized as effective and became widely applied. Main findings The review reveals that ICSI, although transformative, presents challenges. Successes include addressing male infertility and aiding fertilization. However, concerns arise regarding optimal sperm and embryo selection, genetic mutations, and long-term health implications. Ethical considerations surrounding ICSI's broad applications also surface. Conclusions Despite its success and effectiveness, ICSI is still evolving as a therapeutic method. By comprehensively evaluating the historical progress and the current status of ICSI and exploring its future prospects, this study highlights the importance of ICSI in infertility treatment.
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Fallesen P. The association between type of conception through medically assisted reproduction and childhood cognition: a Danish population-wide cohort study. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:1020-1026. [PMID: 37480261 PMCID: PMC10710341 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has indicated that children conceived through medically assisted reproduction (MAR) generally have cognitive outcomes comparable to or better than naturally conceived children. However, previous studies have been limited in their ability to examine this relationship at a population level and consider variations across different types of MAR. METHODS This study utilizes data from all live births in Denmark between 2006 and 2009 (n = 259 608), including a subset of births resulting from MAR conceptions (n = 13 566). The dependent variable is the standardized test scores obtained in the second and third grades of primary schools. A comparison is made between the test scores of children spontaneously conceived (SC) and those conceived through intrauterine insemination (IUI) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Ordinary least squares regressions are employed, with a baseline model adjusted only for birth year, as well as models that additionally account for conception-related confounders and sociodemographic family characteristics. RESULTS In the baseline analysis, ART- and IUI-conceived children displayed better test scores compared with their SC peers. However, after adjusting for relevant factors, ART-conceived children performed worse than SC peers, while IUI-conceived children performed equally well as SC peers and better than ART-conceived children. CONCLUSIONS These results likely reflect differences in the selection process of potential parents into the type of MAR, as well as the consequences of variations in fecundability. Nevertheless, the differences observed across conception types were overshadowed by test score disparities in socioeconomic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fallesen
- Swedish Institute of Social Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- ROCKWOOL Foundation, København K, Denmark
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Pinborg A, Wennerholm UB, Bergh C. Long-term outcomes for children conceived by assisted reproductive technology. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:449-456. [PMID: 37086833 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, more than 10 million children have been born after assisted reproduction technology (ART), comprising up to 7.9% of children born in Europe and up to 5.1 % of children born in the US in 2018. The short-term outcome for children born after ART is well-known from numerous publications, with higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in children born after fresh embryo transfer and higher rates of large for gestational age and high birth weight in children born after frozen embryo transfer compared with children born after spontaneous conception. Higher rates of birth defects in children born after ART have also been shown consistently over time. Studies on long-term health outcomes after ART are scarcer but suggest an increased risk of altered blood pressure and cardiovascular function in children born after ART. In this review, we summarize long-term health outcomes in children born after ART and discuss whether the increased health risks are associated with intrinsic maternal or paternal factors related to subfertility or ART treatments per se. Finally, we speculate where the future will bring us regarding ART treatment strategies and the safety of the mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Pinborg
- Department of Fertility, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Instistute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ulla-Britt Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christina Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Ahmadi H, Aghebati-Maleki L, Rashidiani S, Csabai T, Nnaemeka OB, Szekeres-Bartho J. Long-Term Effects of ART on the Health of the Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13564. [PMID: 37686370 PMCID: PMC10487905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) significantly increase the chance of successful pregnancy and live birth in infertile couples. The different procedures for ART, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT), are widely used to overcome infertility-related problems. In spite of its inarguable usefulness, concerns about the health consequences of ART-conceived babies have been raised. There are reports about the association of ART with birth defects and health complications, e.g., malignancies, high blood pressure, generalized vascular functional disorders, asthma and metabolic disorders in later life. It has been suggested that hormonal treatment of the mother, and the artificial environment during the manipulation of gametes and embryos may cause genomic and epigenetic alterations and subsequent complications in the health status of ART-conceived babies. In the current study, we aimed to review the possible long-term consequences of different ART procedures on the subsequent health status of ART-conceived offspring, considering the confounding factors that might account for/contribute to the long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran;
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran
| | - Shima Rashidiani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Timea Csabai
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Obodo Basil Nnaemeka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs University, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Julia Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA—PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
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Igonina TN, Voronkova OM, Ragaeva DS, Brusentsev EY, Rozhkova IN, Kolosova NG, Amstislavsky SY. Effects of the Maternal Environment on Early Postnatal Development in OXYS Rats. NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11055-023-01378-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
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Beilby KH, Kneebone E, Roseboom TJ, van Marrewijk IM, Thompson JG, Norman RJ, Robker RL, Mol BWJ, Wang R. Offspring physiology following the use of IVM, IVF and ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:272-290. [PMID: 36611003 PMCID: PMC10152177 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the birth of the first baby using IVF technology in 1978, over 10 million children have been conceived via ART. Although most aspects of ARTs were developed in animal models, the introduction of these technologies into clinical practice was performed without comprehensive assessment of their long-term safety. The monitoring of these technologies over time has revealed differences in the physiology of babies produced using ARTs, yet due to the pathology of those presenting for treatment, it is challenging to separate the cause of infertility from the effect of treatments offered. The use of systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impacts of the predominant ART interventions used clinically in human populations on animals produced in healthy fertile populations offers an alternative approach to understanding the long-term safety of reproductive technologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the evidence available from animal studies on physiological outcomes in the offspring conceived after IVF, IVM or ICSI, compared to in vivo fertilization, and to provide an overview on the landscape of research in this area. SEARCH METHODS PubMed, Embase and Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB) Abstracts were searched for relevant studies published until 27 August 2021. Search terms relating to assisted reproductive technology, postnatal outcomes and mammalian animal models were used. Studies that compared postnatal outcomes between in vitro-conceived (IVF, ICSI or IVM) and in vivo-conceived mammalian animal models were included. In vivo conception included mating, artificial insemination, or either of these followed by embryo transfer to a recipient animal with or without in vitro culture. Outcomes included birth weight, gestation length, cardiovascular, metabolic and behavioural characteristics and lifespan. OUTCOMES A total of 61 studies in five different species (bovine, equine, murine, ovine and non-human primate) met the inclusion criteria. The bovine model was the most frequently used in IVM studies (32/40), while the murine model was mostly used in IVF (17/20) and ICSI (6/8) investigations. Despite considerable heterogeneity, these studies suggest that the use of IVF or maturation results in offspring with higher birthweights and a longer length of gestation, with most of this evidence coming from studies in cattle. These techniques may also impair glucose and lipid metabolism in male mice. The findings on cardiovascular outcomes and behaviour outcomes were inconsistent across studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Conception via in vitro or in vivo means appears to have an influence on measurable outcomes of offspring physiology, manifesting differently across the species studied. Importantly, it can be noted that these measurable differences are noticeable in healthy, fertile animal populations. Thus, common ART interventions may have long-term consequences for those conceived through these techniques, regardless of the pathology underpinning diagnosed infertility. However, due to heterogeneous methods, results and measured outcomes, highlighted in this review, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. Optimizing animal and human studies that investigate the safety of new reproductive technologies will provide insight into safeguarding the introduction of novel interventions into the clinical setting. Cautiously prescribing the use of ARTs clinically may also be considered to reduce the chance of promoting adverse outcomes in children conceived before long-term safety is confidently documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiri H Beilby
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ezra Kneebone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Indah M van Marrewijk
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeremy G Thompson
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Robert J Norman
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Robker
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ben Willem J Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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11
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Shen X, Xiao T, Han W, Ye H, Zhang Y, Huang G. The bibliometric analysis of studies on intracytoplasmic sperm injection from 2002 to 2021. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1109623. [PMID: 36998479 PMCID: PMC10043366 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1109623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is estimated to occur in 1 out of every 4-7 couples. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a type of assisted reproduction introduced in 1992, has been used across the world for almost all indications of infertility, yielding high pregnancy rates. There is a growing concern worldwide about ICSI since semen quality has declined in recent years, accompanied with the potential risks of this technology. This study aims to analyze the current status and hotspots of ICSI via a bibliometric analysis. METHODS We retrieved publications on ICSI from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2002 to 2021. CiteSpace was used to summarize knowledge mapping of subject categories, keywords, and co-citation relationships with the strongest citation bursts. VOSviewer was used to explore co-citation and co-occurrence relationships for countries, organizations, references, authors, and keywords. RESULTS A total of 8271 publications were analyzed between 2002 and 2021. The major findings are as follows: the USA, China, Italy, Japan, and Belgium are the top five prolific countries. The Free University of Brussels, University of Copenhagen, University of Valencia, Ghent University, and the University of California San Francisco are the top five contributing organizations. Fertility and Sterility and Human Reproduction are the most productive and cited journals. The hotspot topics are risks of ICSI, oocyte preservation, live birth rate, infertile men, and embryo quality in the past two decades. CONCLUSION This study presents a research overview of ICSI from different perspectives. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the current status of ICSI research and provide hotspots and trends for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Shen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianbing Xiao
- Department of Urology, People’s Hospital of Fengjie, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Han
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Ye
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanfeng Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuanfeng Zhang, ; Guoning Huang,
| | - Guoning Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Chongqing, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuanfeng Zhang, ; Guoning Huang,
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12
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Quintigliano M, Carone N, Speranza AM, Tanzilli A, Baiocco R, Barone L, Pastorelli C, Lingiardi V. Adolescent Development and the Parent-Adolescent Relationship in Diverse Family Forms Created by Assisted Reproduction. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16758. [PMID: 36554637 PMCID: PMC9778924 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) are employed by single individuals and couples who are not otherwise able to conceive spontaneously. While the use of ARTs is increasing, research is lacking on the attempts made by adolescent offspring conceived via ARTs to integrate their ART conception into their identity and negotiate a connection with, and autonomy from, their parents. The present article reviews studies investigating adolescent development and the parent-adolescent relationship in diverse family forms created by ARTs (mainly heterosexual and lesbian parent families), and discusses the results in light of attachment, identity development, and emotional distance regulation theories. Overall, the results indicate that the psychological adjustment of adolescents conceived via ARTs is not undermined by the manner of their conception, and that they enjoy positive relationships with their parents with no difference from those enjoyed by spontaneously conceived adolescents. However, it remains unknown whether the development of a reproductive identity in adolescence is likely to influence adolescents' interest in searching for or contacting their donors, surrogates, and/or donor siblings. The results suggest the relevance of considering the parent-adolescent relationship, disclosure, and identity formation issues when planning psychological counseling and support interventions with ART parents and their adolescent offspring, and emphasize the need to further investigate these aspects in diverse ART families, including single-, gay-, bisexual-, and trans*-parent families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Quintigliano
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Carone
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 11, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Speranza
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tanzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Barone
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 11, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Concetta Pastorelli
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
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13
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Remes H, Palma Carvajal M, Peltonen R, Martikainen P, Goisis A. The Well-Being of Adolescents Conceived Through Medically Assisted Reproduction: A Population-Level and Within-Family Analysis. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF POPULATION = REVUE EUROPEENNE DE DEMOGRAPHIE 2022; 38:915-949. [PMID: 36507233 PMCID: PMC9727010 DOI: 10.1007/s10680-022-09623-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Medically assisted reproduction (MAR) plays an increasingly important role in the realization of fertility intentions in advanced societies, yet the evidence regarding MAR-conceived children's longer-term well-being remains inconclusive. Using register data on all Finnish children born in 1995-2000, we compared a range of social and mental health outcomes among MAR- and naturally conceived adolescents in population-averaged estimates, and within families who have conceived both through MAR and naturally. In baseline models, MAR-conceived adolescents had better school performance and the likelihood of school dropout, not being in education or employment, and early home-leaving were lower than among naturally conceived adolescents. No major differences were found in mental health and high-risk health behaviours. Adjustment for family sociodemographic characteristics attenuated MAR adolescents' advantage in social outcomes, while increasing the risk of mental disorders. The higher probability of mental disorders persisted when comparing MAR adolescents to their naturally conceived siblings. On average, MAR adolescents had similar or better outcomes than naturally conceived adolescents, largely due to their more advantaged family backgrounds, which underscores the importance of integrating a sociodemographic perspective in studies of MAR and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Remes
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 18, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Riina Peltonen
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 18, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pekka Martikainen
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 18, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Laboratory of Population Health, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alice Goisis
- University College London, Social Research Institute, London, UK
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14
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Boutet ML, Eixarch E, Ahumada‐Droguett P, Nakaki A, Crovetto F, Cívico MS, Borrás A, Manau D, Gratacós E, Crispi F, Casals G. Fetal neurosonography and infant neurobehavior following conception by assisted reproductive technology with fresh or frozen embryo transfer. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2022; 60:646-656. [PMID: 35468238 PMCID: PMC9828610 DOI: 10.1002/uog.24920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore fetal cortical brain development by neurosonography in fetuses conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART), including frozen and fresh embryo transfer (ET), compared with those conceived spontaneously (SC), and to investigate its association with infant neurobehavior at 12 months of age. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of 210 singleton pregnancies, including 70 SC pregnancies, 70 conceived by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) following frozen ET and 70 conceived by IVF after fresh ET. Fetal neurosonography was performed at 32 ± 2 gestational weeks to assess cortical development. Sulci depths were measured offline and normalized by biparietal diameter (BPD). Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were completed postnatally, at 12 ± 1 months of corrected age. Neurosonographic findings were adjusted by regression analysis for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, fetal sex and fetal-weight centile and gestational age at scan, and ASQ scores were adjusted for maternal age, ethnicity, parity, educational level and employment status, gestational age at birth, breastfeeding, infant sex and infant age at the ASQ evaluation. RESULTS Overall, in comparison to the SC fetuses, fetuses conceived by ART showed statistically significant differences in cortical development, with reduced parieto-occipital sulci depth adjusted for BPD (mean ± SD: fresh ET, 12.5 ± 2.5 vs frozen ET, 13.4 ± 2.6 vs SC, 13.4 ± 2.6, P < 0.001), cingulate sulci depth adjusted for BPD (median (interquartile range (IQR)): fresh ET, 5.8 (4.2-7.4) vs frozen ET, 5.8 (4.1-7.5) vs SC, 6.5 (4.8-7.8), P = 0.001) and calcarine sulci depth adjusted for BPD (median (IQR): fresh ET, 13.5 (10.1-16.1) vs frozen ET, 14.5 (12.1-15.8) vs SC, 16.4 (14.3-17.9), P < 0.001), together with lower Sylvian fissure grading score. Changes in cortical development were more pronounced in the fresh ET than in the frozen ET group. ART infants showed lower ASQ scores as compared to SC infants, particularly in the fresh ET group (mean ± SD global ASQ Z-score: fresh ET, -0.3 ± 0.4 vs frozen ET, -0.2 ± 0.4 vs SC, 0 ± 0.4, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Fetuses conceived by ART show a distinctive pattern of cortical development and suboptimal infant neurodevelopment, with more pronounced changes in those conceived following fresh ET. These findings support the existence of in-utero brain reorganization associated with ART and warrant follow-up studies to assess its long-term persistence. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. L. Boutet
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
| | - E. Eixarch
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER‐ER)MadridSpain
| | - P. Ahumada‐Droguett
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
| | - A. Nakaki
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
| | - F. Crovetto
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER‐ER)MadridSpain
| | - M. S. Cívico
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Assisted Reproduction UnitHospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - A. Borrás
- Assisted Reproduction UnitHospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - D. Manau
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Assisted Reproduction UnitHospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - E. Gratacós
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER‐ER)MadridSpain
| | - F. Crispi
- BCNatal, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER‐ER)MadridSpain
| | - G. Casals
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaSpain
- Assisted Reproduction UnitHospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
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15
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Gullo G, Scaglione M, Cucinella G, Perino A, Chiantera V, D'Anna R, Laganà AS, Buzzaccarini G. Impact of assisted reproduction techniques on the neuro-psycho-motor outcome of newborns: a critical appraisal. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2022; 42:2583-2587. [PMID: 35959847 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2109953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Subfertility and infertility are common problems among couples of reproductive age, and they increasingly require the use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Understandably, doubts about the safety of such methods are increasing among future parents. The purpose of this review is to analyse the real impact of ART, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), on the health of the unborn baby; in particular, this work is focussed on the problems related to the neuro-psycho-motor area. Twenty-four studies were reviewed and outcomes investigated were: risk of the onset of neurodevelopmental diseases, worsening of school cognitive performance and risk of developing infantile cerebral palsy (CP) or neurological sequelae. For the first two outcomes, we did not find a correlation with ART; nevertheless, the results of the included studies about risk of CP are discordant and influenced by various confounding factors, such as pre-term birth and multiple pregnancies.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are the main answer for achieving pregnancy in infertile couples. However, a wide number of studies have tried to focus on possible different outcomes in terms of maternal and foetal/new-born health. Regarding this scenario, a peculiar importance is given to diseases affecting the neuro-psycho-motor area of the new-born. Since this group of detrimental pathologies could heavily affect the new-born's quality of life and require costly social facilities, different studies have tried to focus on possible outcomes after ART.What do the results of this study add? This manuscript provides a review of the literature regarding ART procedures and neuro-psycho-motor implication. A review is strongly required due to the importance of collecting evidence from studies with different methodologies.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This manuscript provides evidence about the need for wider and more congruent studies regarding neurodevelopment disorders in new-borns after ART procedures. Data are prone to suggest a slight correlation, but several confounding factors can heavily hamper the possibility to draw a firm conclusion about the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Gullo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, IVF Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Scaglione
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Child Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gaspare Cucinella
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, IVF Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Perino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, IVF Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vito Chiantera
- Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, ARNAS "Civico - Di Cristina - Benfratelli", Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosario D'Anna
- Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, ARNAS "Civico - Di Cristina - Benfratelli", Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Buzzaccarini
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Gynaecologic and Obstetrics Clinic, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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16
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Aoki S, Hashimoto K, Ogawa K, Horikawa R, Sago H. Developmental outcomes in Japanese preschool‐age children conceived through assisted reproductive technology. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2022; 48:2847-2852. [DOI: 10.1111/jog.15386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Aoki
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Keiji Hashimoto
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Showa University School of Medicine Yokohama Japan
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism National Center for Child Health and Development Tokyo Japan
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Center for Maternal‐Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine National Center for Child Health and Development Tokyo Japan
| | - Reiko Horikawa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism National Center for Child Health and Development Tokyo Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sago
- Center for Maternal‐Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine National Center for Child Health and Development Tokyo Japan
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17
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Zhang XM, Wu XJ, Cao J, Jiao J, Chen W. Association between Cognitive Frailty and Adverse Outcomes among Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis. J Nutr Health Aging 2022; 26:817-825. [PMID: 36156673 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-022-1833-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to pool the effect size of the association between cognitive frailty and adverse outcomes (e.g., falls, disability, and hospitalization) among older adults. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase were searched from their respective inceptions to June 1, 2022. We extracted prospective cohort studies that reported the association between cognitive frailty and adverse outcomes. Random or fixed-effects models based on heterogeneity were used to pool the effect sizes of independent associations of cognitive frailty, frailty only, and cognitive impairment only with each adverse outcome. RESULTS Fifteen studies involving 49,122 older adults were included in the meta-analysis. Older adults with cognitive frailty had higher odds ratios (OR) for falls (1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-2.58), disability (3.17, 95%CI: 2.24-4.48), and hospitalization (1.78, 95%CI: 1.48-2.14) compared with those without frailty and cognitive impairment. Older adults with frailty only demonstrated a high risk for falls (pooled OR 1.76, 95%CI: 1.25-2.48), disability (pooled OR 1.82, 95%CI: 1.43-2.33), and hospitalization (pooled OR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.45-1.85). The influence of cognitive impairment only on adverse outcomes was lower compared with cognitive frailty or frailty. Subgroup analyses showed that those with cognitive frailty (defined by the frailty phenotype plus Mini-Mental State Examination) were at greater risk for developing adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that cognitive frailty is an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes (e.g., falls, disability, and hospitalization). Early screening and comprehensive intervention may improve cognitive frailty and reduce the risk for adverse outcomes among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- X M Zhang
- Xiao-Ming Zhang, Xin-Juan Wu, Department of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences-Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Dongdan campus), No.1 Shuaifuyuan Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China, ,
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18
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Jenabi E, Bashirian S, Khazaei S, Farhadi Nasab A, Maleki A. The Association between Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Offspring: A Meta-analysis. Curr Pediatr Rev 2022; 19:83-89. [PMID: 35410610 DOI: 10.2174/1573396318666220410231435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review aimed to determine the association between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and increased chances of having an autistic child. METHODS The Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were systematically searched for studies published until December 2020 with the restricted English language. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort and case-control studies has been used for the evaluation of quality in individual studies. We evaluated the heterogeneity among the studies using I-squared. Publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot and Egger's and Begg's tests. We presented results using odds ratio (OR) and relative ratio (RR) estimates with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a randomeffects model. RESULTS In total, 18 articles were included in the present study. The overall findings of the present meta-analysis show that the use of ART didn't associate with the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among offspring based on OR and RR (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.88-1.21) and (RR = 1 .26, 95% CI: 0.96- 1 .55), respectively. We showed a significant association between ART and the risk of ASD in Asia than in the other regions without heterogeneity. CONCLUSION Our result showed that the risk of ASD was not increased in children born from ART. Possible interaction between ART and other regions with increased risk of ASD is important to point and future studies of this topic were recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensiyeh Jenabi
- Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saeid Bashirian
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Salman Khazaei
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Abdollah Farhadi Nasab
- Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Maleki
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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19
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Cozzani M, Aradhya S, Goisis A. The cognitive development from childhood to adolescence of low birthweight children born after medically assisted reproduction-a UK longitudinal cohort study. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 50:1523-1525. [PMID: 34468744 PMCID: PMC8580264 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research has documented that children conceived through medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are at increased risk of poor birth outcomes, such as low birthweight (LBW), which are risk factors for stunted longer-term cognitive development. However, parents who undergo MAR to conceive have, on average, advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds which could compensate for the negative effects of being born LBW. Previous studies have not analysed whether the negative effects of LBW are attenuated among MAR conceived children. Methods We draw on the UK Millennium Cohort Study (sweeps 1–6) which contains a sub-sample of (N = 396) MAR-conceived children. The dependent variable measures cognitive ability at around ages 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14. We examine the cognitive development of four groups of children: MAR-conceived low birthweight (MAR LBW); MAR-conceived non-low birthweight (MAR NLBW); naturally conceived low birthweight (NC LBW); naturally conceived non-low birthweight (NC NLBW). We estimate the two following linear regression models for each sweep: (i) a baseline model to examine the unadjusted association between cognitive development and low birthweight by mode of conception; and (ii) a model adjusted by socio-demographic family characteristics. Results In baseline models, MAR LBW children [age 3: β = 0.021, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.198, 0.241; age 5: β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.009, 0.418; age 7: β = 0.163, 95% CI: -0.148, 0.474; age 11: β = 0.003, 95% CI: -0.318, 0.325; age 14: β = 0.156, 95% CI: -0.205, 0.517], on average perform similarly in cognitive ability relative to NC NLBW at all ages, and display higher cognitive scores than NC LBW children until age 7. When we account for family characteristics, differences are largely attenuated and become close to zero at age 14. Conclusions Despite the higher incidence of LBW among MAR compared with NC children, they do not seem to experience any disadvantage in their cognitive development compared with naturally conceived children. This finding is likely explained by the fact that, on average, MAR children are born to socioeconomically advantaged parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cozzani
- Department of Social and Political Science, European University Institute, San Domenico di Fiesole, Italy
| | - Siddartha Aradhya
- Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alice Goisis
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
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20
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Liu Z, Chen W, Zhang Z, Wang J, Yang YK, Hai L, Wei Y, Qiao J, Sun Y. Whole-Genome Methylation Analysis Revealed ART-Specific DNA Methylation Pattern of Neuro- and Immune-System Pathways in Chinese Human Neonates. Front Genet 2021; 12:696840. [PMID: 34589113 PMCID: PMC8473827 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.696840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA methylation of human offspring can change due to the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). In order to find the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in ART newborns, cord blood maternal cell contamination and parent DNA methylation background, which will add noise to the real difference, must be removed. We analyzed newborns’ heel blood from six families to identify the DMRs between ART and natural pregnancy newborns, and the genetic model of methylation was explored, meanwhile we analyzed 32 samples of umbilical cord blood of infants born with ART and those of normal pregnancy to confirm which differences are consistent with cord blood data. The DNA methylation level was lower in ART-assisted offspring at the whole genome-wide level. Differentially methylated sites, DMRs, and cord blood differentially expressed genes were enriched in the important pathways of the immune system and nervous system, the genetic patterns of DNA methylation could be changed in the ART group. A total of three imprinted genes and 28 housekeeping genes which were involved in the nervous and immune systems were significant different between the two groups, six of them were detected both in heel blood and cord blood. We concluded that there is an ART-specific DNA methylation pattern involved in neuro- and immune-system pathways of human ART neonates, providing an epigenetic basis for the potential long-term health risks in ART-conceived neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongzhi Liu
- Central Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academic of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences/China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zilong Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences/China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China.,Tianjin Novogene Bioinformatic Technology Co., Ltd.,, Tianjin, China
| | - Junyun Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences/China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Kun Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Luo Hai
- Central Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academic of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingli Sun
- Central Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academic of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences/China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
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21
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Wang CW, Chang TH, Chuang NC, Au HK, Chen CH, Tseng SH. Association between intracytoplasmic sperm injection and neurodevelopmental outcomes among offspring. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257268. [PMID: 34506583 PMCID: PMC8432870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children conceived via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and those conceived naturally. MATERIALS AND METHODS A population-based cohort study using data retrieved from the Taipei Medical University Research Database (TMURD) from January, 2004 to August, 2016. The data included maternal pregnancy history, perinatal history and developmental follow up of their babies up to 5 years of age. The study included 23885 children, of whom 23148 were naturally conceived and 737 were conceived via ICSI. Neurodevelopmental disorders defined by 21 ICD-9-CM codes. RESULTS Of the 23885 children enrolled for analysis, 2778 children were included for further subgrouping analysis after propensity matching to reduce bias from maternal factors. The single-birth group included 1752 naturally conceived (NC) children and 438 ICSI children. The multiple-birth group included 294 NC and 294 ICSI children. The risk of neurodevelopmental disorders was not increased for ICSI children in both groups (single birth: adjusted hazard ratio aHR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.39-1.27, p = 0.243; multiple-birth group aHR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.43-1.35, p = 0.853). In the single-birth group, multivariate analyses showed that male sex (aHR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.29-2.54, p < 0.001), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aHR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.64-5.86, p < 0.001) were risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. In the multiple-birth group, multivariate analyses demonstrated that ICU admission (aHR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.82-7.04, p < 0.001), was risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that the use of ICSI does not associated with higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. But male sex, and ICU admission do have increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, long term follow up of this cohort on health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood will strengthen the conclusions that ICSI is safe regarding offspring long term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Wang
- Division of Reproduction Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hao Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Chen Chuang
- Clinical Data Center, Office of Data Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Kien Au
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Huang Chen
- Division of Reproduction Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Hui Tseng
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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22
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Hattori H, Atsumi Y, Nakajo Y, Aono N, Koizumi M, Toya M, Igarashi H, Kyono K. Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes of 3,028 Singletons Born After Advanced ART Techniques: Ejaculated Sperm Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Artificial Oocyte Activation, in Vitro Maturation and Testicular Sperm Extraction. FERTILITY & REPRODUCTION 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s2661318221500031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To evaluate obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of singletons conceived after advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques: conventional IVF pregnancies (C-IVF), ejaculated sperm intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted oocyte activation (AOA), in vitro maturation (IVM), and testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Methods: The subjects were 3,028 singletons who were born after fresh or frozen embryo transfer. The subjects were separated into five groups: C-IVF (n = 855), ICSI (n = 1,869), AOA (n = 42), IVM (n = 32), and TESE (n = 230). We evaluated obstetrical and neonatal outcomes calculating the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) using multivariable logistic regression analyses for fresh and frozen embryos and for cleavage and blastocyst transfer. The C-IVF group was used as a background control for the ICSI group. Moreover, the TESE, AOA, and IVM groups were compared to the ICSI group to evaluate the effects of the ICSI procedure itself. Results: The incidence of perinatal complications was significantly lower in the ICSI-fresh group (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10–0.83, p ¡ 0.05). Regarding sex ratio, the IVM was significantly associated with sex ratio imbalance toward female in both fresh and frozen groups (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10–0.96, AOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07–0.98, p ¡ 0.05). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in preterm birth rate, low birth weight rate and congenital abnormalities rate between conventional IVF, ICSI, and the other groups. Conclusions: There were no negative effects on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes between conventional IVF and ICSI. Although this was a limited sample size study, advanced ART technologies such as AOA, IVM, and TESE also seem to have a low risk of adverse impact on obstetrical and neonatal outcomes but may have a slight impact on sex ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromitsu Hattori
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Yuko Atsumi
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Yukiko Nakajo
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Nobuya Aono
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
- Kyono ART Clinic Takanawa, Takanawa Court 5F, 3-13-1, Takanawa, Minatoku, Tokyo, 108-0074, Japan
| | - Masae Koizumi
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Mayumi Toya
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Hideki Igarashi
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Koichi Kyono
- Kyono ART Clinic Sendai, 1-1-1 3F, Honcho, Aobaku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0014, Japan
- Kyono ART Clinic Takanawa, Takanawa Court 5F, 3-13-1, Takanawa, Minatoku, Tokyo, 108-0074, Japan
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23
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Norrman E, Petzold M, Bergh C, Wennerholm UB. School performance in children born after ICSI. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:340-354. [PMID: 31957795 PMCID: PMC7048711 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do children conceived after ICSI have similar school performance as children born after IVF? SUMMARY ANSWER Children born after ICSI have similar school performance compared to children born after IVF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Studies concerning the cognitive skills of children born after ICSI have shown diverging results. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This nationwide, register-based cohort study included all singleton children born after ICSI (n = 6953), IVF (n = 11 713) or spontaneous conception (SC) (n = 2 022 995), in Sweden between 1985 and 2006. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Singleton children born after ICSI were identified in national IVF registers, cross-linked with the Medical Birth Register (MBR), the National Patient Register (NPR) and the Swedish Cause of Death Register (CDR) for characteristics and medical outcomes. Data on school performance, parental education and other parental characteristics were obtained through cross-linking to the National School Registry and to Statistics Sweden. The main control group, which consisted of children born after IVF, was identified in the national IVF registries while the second control group, consisting of children born after SC, was identified from the MBR. Simple and multivariable linear regression was used for analysis of continuous variables, and logistic regression was used for the analysis of binary outcomes. Adjustments were made for sex, year of birth, maternal smoking during pregnancy, parental age, parity, parental region of birth, parental level of education and frozen embryo transfer. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In the adjusted analyses, there was no significant difference between ICSI and IVF children for total score (adjusted odds ratios (AORs) 1.03; 95% CI −0.22 to 2.28; P = 0.11), specific subjects, qualifying for secondary school (AOR 1.02; 95% CI 0.82–1.26; P = 0.87) or poor school performance (AOR 0.92; 95% CI 0.75−1.14; P = 0.47). In the third grade, children born after ICSI had a significantly lower chance of passing all of the subtests in Mathematics (AOR 0.89; 0.83–0.96; P = 0.002) and Swedish (AOR 0.92; 0.85–0.99; P = 0.02) compared to children born after SC. When cross-linking children with missing data on school performances (2.1% for ICSI, 2.0% for IVF and 2.3% for SC) with the Cerebral Palsy Follow-up Register (CPUP) for cerebral palsy, 2.7% of ICSI children, 5.7% of IVF children and 1.7% of SC children without registered education were found. When cross-linking children with missing data on school performances with the NPR for mental retardation, 29.9% of ICSI children, 32.6% of IVF children and 35.0% of SC children with missing data were registered under such a diagnosis. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The main limitation was that test scores were missing in a small percentage in both ICSI and IVF children. Although we were able to cross-link this subpopulation with the CPUP and the NPR, these diagnoses only partly explained the missing scores. Other limitations were unmeasured and unknown possible confounders, such as information about infertility diagnoses and indication for ICSI, were not available. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These findings are important to most countries where IVF and ICSI are used since there may be differences in choice of procedure. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards using ICSI not only for treatment of male infertility but also when the sperm quality is normal. Our results indicate that the school performance of children born after ICSI is reassuring. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Financial support was received through Sahlgrenska University Hospital (ALFGBG – 70 940), Hjalmar Svensson Research Foundation and Nordforsk, project number 71 450. None of the authors declare any conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Norrman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Max Petzold
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christina Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulla-Britt Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden
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24
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Luke B, Brown MB, Ethen MK, Canfield MA, Watkins S, Wantman E, Doody KJ. Sixth grade academic achievement among children conceived with IVF: a population-based study in Texas, USA. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1481-1492. [PMID: 33797677 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02170-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare academic achievement in reading and mathematics at the end of sixth grade and progress from third to sixth grade by children conceived with in vitro fertilization (IVF) to those conceived naturally. METHODS This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of IVF-conceived singleton and twin children who took the 3rd grade and 6th grade public school standardized reading and mathematics testing in Texas. RESULTS There were 6623 children with reading scores in both the third and sixth grades and 6374 children with mathematics scores in both the third and sixth grades. Mean (± SE) scaled test scores for IVF and control singleton children for reading were 1544.6 ± 3.4 and 1527.7 ± 1.9, respectively, in third grade and 1701.2 ± 3.6 and 1681.0 ± 2.0, respectively, in sixth grade; for mathematics, the scores were 1564.4 ± 3.7 and 1548.9 ± 2.1, respectively, in third grade and 1774.0 ± 4.2 and 1752.0 ± 2.3, respectively, in sixth grade. In multivariate models, singleton IVF children scored significantly higher than control children in reading and mathematics, averaging 17.7 ± 4.0 points and 20.1 ± 4.1 points higher, respectively, in reading in third and sixth grades and 17.8 ± 4.4 points and 25.0 ± 4.8 points higher, respectively, in mathematics in third and sixth grades. CONCLUSIONS Children conceived with IVF and aged 8-9 years and aged 10-12 years performed as well on third and sixth grade reading and mathematics assessments as their counterparts conceived naturally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Luke
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Fee Hall, Room 628, 965 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Morton B Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mary K Ethen
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, USA
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25
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Farhi A, Glasser S, Gabis LV, Hirsh-Yechezkel G, Frank S, Brinton L, Scoccia B, Ron-El R, Orvieto R, Lerner-Geva L. How Are They Doing? Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at School Age of Children Born Following Assisted Reproductive Treatments. J Child Neurol 2021; 36:262-271. [PMID: 33135961 DOI: 10.1177/0883073820967169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess major neurodevelopmental aspects of children conceived by assisted reproductive treatments compared to spontaneously conceived children during the early school years. MATERIAL & METHODS In this follow-up study, mothers of 358 children born following assisted reproductive treatments and 401 spontaneously-conceived children were interviewed by telephone regarding their children's health and development, when the children were 7-8 years old. The main outcomes were maternal responses to 4 questionnaires: Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, Short Sensory Profile, Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire, and the Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) Child Symptom Inventory-4 subscale. Mothers reported diagnoses of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the groups in Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire or Short Sensory Profile scores upon univariate or multivariable analyses. There was a slightly higher but nonsignificant rate of diagnosed ADHD among children in the assisted reproductive treatment group (9.6% vs 5.5%; P = .18); on multivariable analysis, a nonsignificant increase in ADHD was also found for assisted reproductive treatment children (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 0.81-2.61). Regarding the Child Symptom Inventory-4 criteria for ADHD among the children who had never been diagnosed, there was also a slightly higher but nonsignificant rate among the assisted reproductive treatments compared to spontaneously-conceived children on univariate (2.4% vs 1.8%; P = .50) and multivariable analysis (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.27-2.86). Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis or Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire scores were not significantly different; however, 5 of the 6 children with autism spectrum disorder diagnoses were in the assisted reproductive treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Neurodevelopmental measures were similar in both groups, although nonconclusive regarding ADHD and autism spectrum disorder risk. These findings contribute to the knowledge regarding long-term assisted reproductive treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Farhi
- Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research Ltd, Women & Children's Health Research Unit, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Saralee Glasser
- Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research Ltd, Women & Children's Health Research Unit, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Lidia V Gabis
- Weinberg Child Development Center, Safra Children's Hospital, 26744Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,School of Public Health, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galit Hirsh-Yechezkel
- Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research Ltd, Women & Children's Health Research Unit, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Shay Frank
- Weinberg Child Development Center, Safra Children's Hospital, 26744Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Louise Brinton
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Bert Scoccia
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raphael Ron-El
- School of Public Health, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Assaf Harofe Medical Center, Infertility & IVF Unit, Israel
| | - Raoul Orvieto
- School of Public Health, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 26744Sheba Medical Center, Infertility & IVF Unit, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Liat Lerner-Geva
- Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research Ltd, Women & Children's Health Research Unit, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,School of Public Health, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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26
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Wienecke LS, Kjær SK, Frederiksen K, Hargreave M, Dalton SO, Jensen A. Ninth-grade school achievement in Danish children conceived following fertility treatment: a population-based cohort study. Fertil Steril 2021; 113:1014-1023. [PMID: 32386613 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether academic achievement among children conceived following fertility treatment is different from that of children born to fertile women while also considering the underlying infertility. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. SETTING Denmark. PATIENT(S) The study population consisted of all 154,536 firstborn, live-born, singleton children in Denmark between 1995 and 2000 who completed their ninth grade with an examination. INTERVENTION(S) The Danish Infertility Cohort was used to identify children conceived after fertility treatment (n = 10,099), and information on mean school marks was obtained from Statistics Denmark. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Linear regression models were used to estimate mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI of not passing the ninth-grade examination. RESULTS The crude overall mean marks for children conceived after the various fertility treatment procedures were in general higher than in children born to fertile women. However, after adjustment for potential confounders, the overall mean marks were statistically significantly lower for children conceived after the various fertility treatment procedures (e.g., any fertility treatment: MD -0.13; 95% CI -0.18, -0.08) compared with children born to fertile women. Further, children conceived after any fertility treatment had a statistically significant lower crude likelihood of not passing the ninth-grade examination (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.53, 0.81) compared with children born to fertile women, whereas no difference was observed in the confounder adjusted analyses (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.89, 1.49). When children born to women requiring fertility assistance but without fertility treatment in the index pregnancy were used as a reference group, no differences in the adjusted overall mean marks and the likelihood of not passing the ninth grade with an examination were observed. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that fertility treatment per se is not associated with lower school marks and the likelihood of not passing the ninth grade with an examination. Hence, we suggest that factors related to both fertility problems and cognitive development may more likely explain the slightly lower academic performance (i.e., modest lower mean marks) among children conceived after fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Wienecke
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne K Kjær
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten Frederiksen
- Statistics and Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Hargreave
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne O Dalton
- Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital, Næstved, Denmark
| | - Allan Jensen
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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27
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Popovici R. Wie schneiden Kinder in der Schule ab, die nach ICSI geboren wurden? GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-020-00360-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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28
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Ranneva SV, Brusentsev EY, Igonina TN, Ragaeva DS, Rozhkova IN, Ershov NI, Levinson AL, Amstislavsky SY. The Effect of Embryo Culture on Ontogenesis of Mammalian Offspring. Russ J Dev Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360420060077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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29
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Health and Well-Being Outcomes of Adolescents Conceived Through In Vitro Fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:1428-1438. [PMID: 33237512 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00407-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
What is the perception of health and well-being of adolescents from an assisted reproductive technology (ART) cohort? We conducted a survey, from September 2015 to June 2016, through self-completion questionnaires, on 487 singleton or twin ART-conceived 11- to 15-year-old adolescents, followed up since 1994, as part of an ART cohort. Collected data concerned perinatal characteristics, health indicators and perception, eating habits, behavior, and living standards. A total of 60.6% of the questionnaires were returned and could therefore be analyzed. This concerned 295 adolescents who were representative of the 788 remaining adolescents of our cohort, in terms of type of ART, maternal and perinatal characteristics, but not gender (sex ratio = 0.77). Overall, 15.3% reported chronic diseases, and only 13.3% of them considered that their chronic disease had an impact on their school life. Moreover, 94.2% of adolescents perceived that their health was "excellent" or "good"; 97.3% adolescents had normal weight or were underweight; onset of menstruation was 12 years old (± 1) for girls, age usually reported for puberty in girls; 51.9% declared having regular physical activity, boys more frequently than girls. Moreover, 70.6% of the boys had a sedentary behavior compared to 44.8% of the girls. A total of 73.5% of the adolescents were stressed at school, but school demand was considered high only in 12.2% of cases. Finally, 90% declared to have high life satisfaction. Overall, ART does not appear to have particular effect on the health indicators and behavior of adolescents who participated in the survey except for higher family affluence scale.
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Zhu W, Zheng J, Wen Y, Li Y, Zhou C, Wang Z. Effect of embryo vitrification on the expression of brain tissue proteins in mouse offspring. Gynecol Endocrinol 2020; 36:973-977. [PMID: 32129689 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2020.1734785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitrification is widely used in assisted reproductive technologies. However, the nervous system of vitrification offspring is of concern, and research on this is lacking. Vitrification-born mice (vitrification group), conventional in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer pregnancy-born mice (IVF group), and natural pregnancy-born mice (control group) were used to study the effects of vitrification of mouse embryos on protein levels in the brain of offspring. Proteins differentially expressed among the three groups were analyzed using proteomic methods, including two-dimensional electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression of differentially expressed proteins, such as Actb and Actg1, in each group. Twenty differentially expressed proteins in the brain tissue were identified using two-dimensional protein electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these proteins were related to the development of anatomical structure, signal transduction, transport, cell differentiation, and stress response (biological processes) and the binding of molecules in vivo (molecular functions). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were involved in 54 pathways, including phagosome, metabolic pathway, apoptosis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Thus, embryo vitrification may cause some changes in the mouse brain at the protein level, necessitating further safety assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxuan Zheng
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Yangjiang, Yangjiang, China
| | - Yangxing Wen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubin Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zengyan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Heineman KR, Kuiper DB, Bastide-van Gemert S, Heineman MJ, Hadders-Algra M. Cognitive and behavioural outcome of children born after IVF at age 9 years. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:2193-2200. [PMID: 31711156 PMCID: PMC9185894 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do ovarian stimulation (OS) and the in vitro laboratory procedures affect offsprings' cognitive and behavioural outcome at 9 years? SUMMARY ANSWER OS and the in vitro laboratory procedures or the combination of both were not associated with cognitive and behavioural outcome at age 9 years. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ART is not associated with an adverse short-term developmental outcome of the offspring, but limited knowledge is available on the offspring's long-term neurodevelopmental condition. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A 9-year longitudinal, assessor-blinded, prospective follow-up study of 169 out of 215 singletons (79%) born between March 2005 and December 2006 was performed. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Singletons born following IVF or ICSI with OS (n = 57), born after modified natural cycle IVF/ICSI (MNC-IVF/ICSI; n = 46) and born after natural conception to subfertile couples (Sub-NC; n = 66), were assessed at 9 years. This study design, with two ART groups and a subfertile reference group, allows for disentangling the effects of OS and ART procedures on developmental outcome. Cognitive outcome was evaluated with the Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence and the NEPSY-II. Behaviour was assessed with the child behaviour checklist (CBCL) and teacher report form (TRF). Univariable analyses and multiple linear regression models were used. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There was no significant difference in intelligence quotient (IQ) scores between ART groups (mean IQ (95% CI): OS 114.8 (83.2-142.6); MNC 114.0 (90.2-140.8); Sub-NC 115.4 (87.9-141.2), P = 0.746). Multivariable analyses did not reveal a statistically significant association between ART group and total, verbal and performance IQ. CBCL and TRF scores did not differ significantly between ART groups (P = 0.090 and 0.507, respectively). Multivariable analyses did not demonstrate a statistically significant association between ART group and CBCL and TRF total, or internalising and externalising T-scores. No significant correlations between time to pregnancy (TTP)-a proxy for the severity of parental subfertility-and outcome measures were found (Spearman rho between -0.050 and 0.049, NS), which was confirmed with multivariable analyses. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The attrition rate of 21% may be considered as a limitation of the study; however, after a follow-up period of 9 years, this rate is generally considered acceptable, and there were no significant differences in background characteristics between children with and without follow-up, making an attrition-related selection bias less likely. Another limitation of the study is the relatively small sample size, which could contribute to selection bias, hamper generalizability to the ART population and lead to false negative findings as a result of underpowering. An a priori power analysis on total IQ indicated that the OS-IVF/ICSI and Sub-NC groups should contain 64 children, confirming that our study including 57 and 66 children, respectively, was slightly underpowered. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study indicated that OS and the in vitro laboratory procedures or the combination of both and TTP were not associated with cognitive and behavioural outcome at 9 years. These are reassuring results for both parents and clinicians involved in ART. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was financially supported by the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), two graduate schools of the UMCG (BCN and SHARE) and the Cornelia Stichting. The sponsors of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Heineman
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands.,SEIN, Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Dr Denekampweg 20, 8025 BV Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - D B Kuiper
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands
| | - Sla Bastide-van Gemert
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands
| | - M J Heineman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - M Hadders-Algra
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen 9713 GZ, The Netherlands
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Lewon M, Wang Y, Peters C, Peterson M, Zheng H, Wang Z, Hayes L, Yan W. Assessment of operant learning and memory in mice born through ICSI. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:2058-2071. [PMID: 32766772 PMCID: PMC7485617 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are there differences in operant learning and memory between mice born through ICSI and naturally conceived control (CTL) mice? SUMMARY ANSWER ICSI females exhibited deficits in the acquisition reward learning relative to CTL females, and ICSI males exhibited deficiencies in discrimination learning and memory relative to CTL males. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Some human outcome studies have suggested that ICSI might be associated with an increased risk of certain cognitive disorders, but only one of two behavioral studies with ICSI mouse models have reported differences between ICSI and CTL females. No studies to date have investigated associative learning in ICSI mice. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Groups of 36 ICSI mice (18 male, 18 female) and 37 CTL mice (19 male, 18 female) aged 3-6 months were compared in a series of operant learning procedures that assessed acquisition of a new behavior, discrimination learning and memory. In total, 16 ICSI mice (9 male, 7 female) and 17 CTL mice (10 male, 7 female) received follow-up discrimination learning and memory assessments at 12 months of age (6 months after the end of initial training) to evaluate retention and reacquisition of learned performances. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Mice received daily operant learning sessions in experimental chambers in which all stimulus events and the recording of responses were automated. Food rewards were delivered for responding under different conditions of reinforcement, which varied by procedure. Subjects received a successive series of sessions of nose poke acquisition training, discrimination training and the delayed-non-matching-to-position memory procedure. Mixed repeated measures ANOVAs in which the between-subjects factor was group (ICSI vs CTL) and the within-subjects factor was repeated exposures to learning procedures (i.e. sessions) were used to analyze data. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In comparisons between all mice (i.e. males and females combined), CTL mice exhibited superior performance relative to ICSI in response acquisition (P = 0.03), discrimination (P = 0.001) and memory (P = 0.007). Sex-specific comparisons between the groups yielded evidence of sexual dimorphism. ICSI females exhibited a deficit in acquisition learning relative to CTL females (P < 0.001), but there was not a significant difference between CTL and ICSI males. In the discrimination and memory tasks, ICSI males exhibited deficits relative to CTL males (P = 0.002 and P = 0.02, respectively) but the differences between females in these tasks were not significant. There was no difference in discrimination or memory retention/re-acquisition assessments conducted with mice at 12 months of age. ICSI males and females weighed significantly more than CTL counterparts at all points during the experiment. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The study was not blinded. All learning assessments utilized food reward; other assessments of operant, Pavlovian and nonassociative learning are needed to fully characterize learning in ICSI mice and speculate regarding the implications for cognitive function in humans conceived via ICSI. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Studying learning and memory processes in mouse models have the potential to shed light on ICSI outcomes at the level of cognitive function. Future research should use multiple learning paradigms, assess both males and females, and investigate the effects of variables related to the ICSI procedure. Studying cognitive function in ICSI is an interdisciplinary endeavor and requires co-ordination between researchers at the genetic and psychological levels of analysis. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported, in part, by grants from the NIH (P30GM110767, HD071736 and HD085506 to W.Y.), the Templeton Foundation (61174 to W.Y.) and a New Scholarly Endeavor Grant from the University of Nevada, Reno Office of Research and Innovation (to M.L., Y.W., H.Z., L.H. and W.Y.). The authors declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lewon
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | | | | | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Zhuqing Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Linda Hayes
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O, Skirbekk V. Fathers of children conceived using ART have higher cognitive ability scores than fathers of naturally conceived children. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:1461-1468. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Does paternal cognitive ability differ for children conceived with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART)?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Young fathers of ART conceived children tend to score cognitively below their same-age natural conception (NC) counterparts and older (above 35) fathers of ART conceived children tend to score above.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Cognitive ability is a genetically and socially transmitted trait, and If ART and NC children have parents with different levels of this trait, then this would in itself predict systematic differences in child cognitive outcomes. Research comparing cognitive outcomes of children with different modes of conception finds conflicting results, and studies may be influenced by selection and confounding.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
This is a population-based study based on Norwegian data, combining information from the Medical Birth Registry (births through 2012), military conscription tests (birth cohorts 1955–1977) and the population registry. These data allow us to compare the cognitive ability scores of men registered as the father of an ART-conceived child to the cognitive abilities of other fathers and to average scores in the paternal birth cohorts.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS
The population level study included 18 566 births after ART (5810 after ICSI, 12 756 after IVF), and 1 048 138 NC births. It included all Norwegian men who received a cognitive ability score after attending military conscription between 1973 and 1995. This constituted 614 827 men (89.4% of the male birth cohorts involved). An additional 77 650 unscored males were included in sensitivity analyses.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Paternal cognitive level was assessed using intelligence quotients (IQ) converted from stanine scores on a three-part cognitive ability test with items measuring numeracy, vocabulary and abstract thought (Raven-like matrices). ART fathers averaged 1.95 IQ points above the average of their own birth cohort (P-value < 0.0005) and 1.83 IQ points above NC fathers in their own birth cohort (P < 0.0005). Comparisons of the IQ of ART fathers to those of NC fathers of similar age and whose children were born in the same year, however, found average scores to be more similar (point estimate 0.24, P = 0.023). These low average differences were found to differ substantially by age of fatherhood, with young ART fathers scoring below their NC counterparts and older ART fathers scoring above their NC counterparts.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
We do not have information on maternal cognition. We also lack information on unsuccessful infertility treatments that did not result in a live birth.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Paternal cognitive ability of ART children differs from that of NC children, and this difference varies systematically with paternal age at child birth. Selection effects into ART may help explain differences between ART and NC children and need to be adequately controlled for when assessing causal effects of ART treatment on child outcomes.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This research has also been supported by the Research Council of Norway through its Centres of Excellence funding scheme, project number 262700 (Centre for Fertility and Health). It has also been supported by the Research Council of Norway’s Project 236992 (Egalitarianism under pressure? New perspectives on inequality and social cohesion). There are no competing interests.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernt Bratsberg
- Frisch Centre for Economic Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Centre for Fertility and Health, Marcus Thranes Gate 2, 0473 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole Rogeberg
- Frisch Centre for Economic Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Vegard Skirbekk
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Centre for Fertility and Health, Marcus Thranes Gate 2, 0473 Oslo, Norway
- Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, US
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Luke B, Brown MB, Ethen MK, Canfield MA, Watkins S, Wantman E, Doody KJ. Third grade academic achievement among children conceived with the use of in vitro fertilization: a population-based study in Texas. Fertil Steril 2020; 113:1242-1250.e4. [PMID: 32409098 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate if there are differences in standardized testing results at the end of third grade between children conceived with the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and those conceived spontaneously. DESIGN Retrospective population-based cohort. SETTING Texas public school system. PATIENT(S) Singleton and twin children 8-9 years of age who took the third-grade public school standardized testing in Texas from 2012 to 2018. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Standardized testing in reading and mathematics. RESULT(S) After exclusions, there were 6,970 IVF and 12,690 non-IVF children with reading scores and 6,973 IVF and 12,729 non-IVF children with mathematics scores. IVF children scored significantly higher in reading (singletons: 1,543 ± 2 vs. 1,525 ± 1; twins: 1,534 ± 2 vs. 1,504 ± 5 [mean ± SE]), and mathematics (singletons: 1,566 ± 2 vs. 1,550 ± 1; twins: 1,557 ± 2 vs. 1,529 ± 5). Children of mothers ≥30 years of age scored consistently higher than children of mothers 18-29 years of age. The differences were of similar magnitude between IVF and control children for older ages, but not significant for IVF. Within the IVF group, there were no significant differences between children born from fresh versus froze-thawed embryos. CONCLUSION(S) Children of ages 8-9 years who were conceived with the use of IVF performed as well on third-grade reading and math assessments as their counterparts who were conceived spontaneously. We also found consistent racial and ethnic differences, gender differences, and beneficial effects of older maternal age. Because we were not able to adjust adequately for socioeconomic status and other confounding factors, which may explain some of the observed differences, we conclude that there is no negative effect of IVF conception on academic achievement in third grade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Luke
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
| | - Morton B Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Mary K Ethen
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
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Abstract
The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the present knowledge on long-term outcome of children born after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The main outcomes covered are neurodevelopment including cerebral palsy, cognitive development, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disease, growth, cardiovascular function, diabetes type 1, asthma, malignancies, and reproductive health. Results have mainly been obtained from systematic reviews/meta-analyses and large registry studies. It has been shown that children born after ART, when restricted to singletons, have a similar outcome for many health conditions as their spontaneously conceived peers. For some outcomes, particularly cardiovascular function and diabetes, studies show some higher risk for ART singletons or subgroup of ART singletons. The fast introduction of new ART techniques emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance of children born after ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- CONTACT Christina Bergh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University; Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, GothenburgSE-413 45, Sweden
| | - Ulla-Britt Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
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von Wolff M, Haaf T. In Vitro Fertilization Technology and Child Health. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 117:23-30. [PMID: 32031509 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Just under 3% of children in Germany, and approximately 6% of children in some other countries, such as Denmark, are now being conceived with the aid of in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. Alongside the increased risk of organ malformation, there is now evidence for functional abnormalities due to epigenetic modifications. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a literature search on currently known associations of IVF therapy with malformations and functional abnormalities. The potential implications for the treatment of infertility are discussed. RESULTS The risk of congenital malformations is approximately one-third higher in children conceived with the aid of IVF technology than in other children; specifically, there is an odds ratio (OR) of 1.29 (95% confidence interval, [1.03; 1.60]) for cardiac malformations, and there is a relative risk (RR) of 1.35 ([1.12; 1.64]) for musculo- skeletal malformations and 1.58 ([1.28; 1.94]) for genitourinary malformations. The risks of preterm birth and low birth weight are, respectively, 1.7 and 1.5 times higher in IVF singleton pregnancies than in non-IVF pregnancies. Cardiovascular changes are the main type of functional disturbance. Some of the risks associated with IVF have decreased in recent years. An association has been revealed between cardiovascular abnormalities and epigenetic modifications; the causes are thought to include not only maternal and paternal factors, but also the IVF techniques that are used. A modification of IVF therapies might lower the risks, but might also lower the success rate. CONCLUSION For the well-being of the children to be conceived, IVF therapy should hat cannot be treated by any other means, as the precise causes of the risks of IVF to child health are unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael von Wolff
- Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Human Genetics, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
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Sánchez-Soler MJ, López-González V, Ballesta-Martínez MJ, Gálvez-Pradillo J, Domingo-Martínez R, Pérez-Fernández V, Guillén-Navarro E. Evaluación del desarrollo psicomotor hasta los 3 años de edad de niños españoles concebidos por técnicas de reproducción asistida (FIV/ICSI): estudio prospectivo de cohorte controlado. An Pediatr (Barc) 2020; 92:200-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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Assessment of psychomotor development of Spanish children up to 3 years of age conceived by assisted reproductive techniques: Prospective matched cohort study. ANALES DE PEDIATRÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Zandstra H, van Montfoort APA, Dumoulin JCM, Zimmermann LJI, Touwslager RNH. Increased blood pressure and impaired endothelial function after accelerated growth in IVF/ICSI children. Hum Reprod Open 2020; 2020:hoz037. [PMID: 31922033 PMCID: PMC6946007 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoz037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the effect of growth velocity (height and weight) in early infancy on metabolic end-points and endothelial function in children born after ART? SUMMARY ANSWER Neonatal, infant and childhood growth is positively related to blood pressure in 9-year-old IVF/ICSI offspring, while growth in childhood was negatively associated with endothelial function. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Offspring of pregnancies conceived after ART are at risk for later cardiometabolic risk factors. It is well established that early growth is related to numerous later cardiometabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure. This concept is known as the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease theory. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION The relation between early growth and later cardiometabolic risk profile was studied in the MEDIUM-KIDS study, a prospective observational cohort study in children born after an IVF/ICSI treatment. In 131 children (48.1% males) at the average age of 9.4 years, cardiometabolic outcomes were assessed and growth data from birth until age 9 years were collected from child welfare centers. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTINGS METHODS The following cardiometabolic outcomes were assessed: blood pressure, skinfolds, lipid spectrum, hair cortisone and glucose and insulin levels. Data on maximum skin perfusion after transdermal delivery of acetylcholine as a measure of endothelial function were collected.Growth charts were obtained electronically from child welfare centers, which offer free consultations and vaccinations to all Dutch children. At these centers, height and weight are recorded at predefined ages. Growth was defined as z-score difference in weight between two time points. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to model the relation between growth and cardiometabolic outcomes. The following growth windows were -studied simultaneously in each model: 0-1 month, 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-11 months, 11-24 months and 2-6 years. The model was adjusted for height growth in all intervals except for 0-1 month. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In multivariable linear regression analyses, multiple growth windows were positively associated with blood pressure, for example growth from 2-6 years was significantly related to systolic blood pressure: B = 4.13, P = 0.005. Maximum skin perfusion after acetylcholine was negatively associated with height-adjusted weight gain from 2 to 6 years: B = -0.09 (log scale), P = 0.03. Several growth windows (weight 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-11 months, 11-24 months, 2-6 years) were positively linked with total adiposity. Lipids, glucose tolerance indices and cortisone were not related to growth. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is of modest size and of observational nature, and we did not include a control group. Therefore, we cannot assess whether the observed associations are causal. It is also not possible to analyze if our observations are specific for, or exacerbated in, the ART population. Ideally, a control group of naturally conceived siblings of IVF/ICSI children should simultaneously be studied to address this limitation and to assess the impact of the ART procedure without the influence of parental (subfertility) characteristics. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the reported increased risk for hypertension in ART offspring. We speculate that early, accelerated growth may be involved in the reported increased risk for hypertension in ART offspring, with endothelial dysfunction as a possible underlying mechanism. However, additional research into the mechanisms involved is required. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The study was financially supported by the March of Dimes, grant number #6-FY13-153. The sponsor of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the paper. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NTR4220.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zandstra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A P A van Montfoort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J C M Dumoulin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - L J I Zimmermann
- Department of Pediatrics, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - R N H Touwslager
- Department of Pediatrics, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Lin E, Li Z, Huang Y, Ru G, He P. High Dosages of Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin Exert Adverse Effects on the Developmental Competence of IVF-Derived Mouse Embryos and Cause Oxidative Stress-Induced Aneuploidy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:609290. [PMID: 33634101 PMCID: PMC7900142 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.609290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropins play vital roles in the regulation of female reproductive ability and fertility. Our study aimed to determine the effects of superovulation induced by increasing doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin [eCG; also referred to as pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)] on the developmental competence of mouse embryos and on aneuploidy formation during in vitro fertilization (IVF). eCG dose-dependently enhanced the oocyte yield from each mouse. Administration of 15 IU eCG significantly reduced the fertilization rate and the formation of four-cell embryos and blastocysts and increased the risk of chromosome aneuploidy. The IVF-derived blastocysts in the 15 IU eCG treatment group had the fewest total cells, inner cell mass (ICM) cells and trophectoderm (TE) cells. Moreover, more blastocysts and fewer apoptotic cells were observed in the 0, 5, and 10 IU eCG treatment groups than in the 15 IU eCG treatment group. We also investigated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and variations in several variables: mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP); active mitochondria; mitochondrial superoxide production; adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content; spindle structures; chromosome karyotypes; microfilament distribution; and the expression of Aurora B [an important component of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC)], the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) protein mitotic arrest deficient 2 like 1 (MAD2L1), and the DNA damage response (DDR) protein γH2AX. Injection of 15 IU eCG increased ROS levels, rapidly reduced MMP, increased active mitochondria numbers and mitochondrial superoxide production, reduced ATP content, increased abnormal spindle formation rates, and induced abnormalities in chromosome number and microfilament distribution, suggesting that a high dose of eCG might alter developmental competence and exert negative effects on IVF-obtained mouse embryos. Additionally, the appearance of γH2AX and the significantly increased expression of Aurora B and MAD2L1 suggested that administration of relatively high doses of eCG caused Aurora B-mediated SAC activation triggered by ROS-induced DNA damage in early mouse IVF-derived embryos for self-correction of aneuploidy formation. These findings improve our understanding of the application of gonadotropins and provide a theoretical basis for gonadotropin treatment.
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Mintjens S, Menting MD, Gemke RJBJ, van Poppel MNM, van Wely M, Bensdorp AJ, Tjon Kon Fat RI, Mol BWJ, Painter RC, van de Beek C, Roseboom TJ. The effects of intrauterine insemination and single embryo transfer or modified natural cycle in vitro fertilization on offspring's health-Follow-up of a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019; 242:131-138. [PMID: 31586879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Does ovarian hyperstimulation and/or the in vitro procedure of assisted reproduction affect neurodevelopmental and physical health of the offspring? STUDY DESIGN Infertile couples were randomly allocated to intrauterine insemination with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (IUI-COH), modified natural cycle in vitro fertilization (IVF-MNC) or single embryo transfer IVF (IVF-SET). We compared neurodevelopmental and physical health in childhood (4-7 years). We used age-appropriate questionnaires to assess behavioral problems (Child Behavior Check List (CBCL)) and executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)). We measured body mass index Z-score, waist- and hip-circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure Z-scores, pulse wave velocity, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and high sensitivity c-reactive protein. We compared groups by analysis of variance. RESULTS We examined 191 (57%) of the 333 children born in the study at a mean age of 5.5 years (range 4.0-7.6 years). We found no statistically significant differences between randomization groups in children's neurodevelopmental or physical health indices (all p-values > 0.05). Comparing the outcomes between actual method of conception, including a naturally conceived group, also did not show statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS Although this follow-up study was not powered on childhood outcomes and limited power due to attrition may have hampered detection of subtle effects, we found no indications of differences in neurodevelopmental and physical health between ovarian hyperstimulation and/or the in vitro procedure of assisted reproduction. Future trials should be powered on child outcomes, and aim to optimize follow-up rates to provide answers that are more definitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mintjens
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Paediatrics, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands; NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln, Department of Pediatrics, Room 4-20, 234 East 149(th) Street, Bronx, NY, 10451, United States.
| | - M D Menting
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - R J B J Gemke
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Paediatrics, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - M N M van Poppel
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, the Netherlands; University of Graz, Institute of Sport Science, Mozartgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - M van Wely
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - A J Bensdorp
- Utrecht UMC, University of Utrecht, Department of General Health, Julius Center, Broederplein 43, 3703 CD Zeist, the Netherlands
| | - R I Tjon Kon Fat
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - B W J Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton Victoria 3168, Australia.
| | - R C Painter
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - C van de Beek
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - T J Roseboom
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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La Rovere M, Franzago M, Stuppia L. Epigenetics and Neurological Disorders in ART. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174169. [PMID: 31454921 PMCID: PMC6747212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
About 1–4% of children are currently generated by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in developed countries. These babies show only a slightly increased risk of neonatal malformations. However, follow-up studies have suggested a higher susceptibility to multifactorial, adult onset disorders like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in ART offspring. It has been suggested that these conditions could be the consequence of epigenetic, alterations, due to artificial manipulations of gametes and embryos potentially able to alter epigenetic stability during zygote reprogramming. In the last years, epigenetic alterations have been invoked as a possible cause of increased risk of neurological disorders, but at present the link between epigenetic modifications and long-term effects in terms of neurological diseases in ART children remains unclear, due to the short follow up limiting retrospective studies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about neurological disorders promoted by epigenetics alterations in ART. Based on data currently available, it is possible to conclude that little, if any, evidence of an increased risk of neurological disorders in ART conceived children is provided. Most important, the large majority of reports appears to be limited to epidemiological studies, not providing any experimental evidence about epigenetic modifications responsible for an increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina La Rovere
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Marica Franzago
- Department of Medicine and Aging, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Aging Center Studies-Translational Medicine (CeSI-Met), "G. d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
- Aging Center Studies-Translational Medicine (CeSI-Met), "G. d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
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Impact of male factor infertility on offspring health and development. Fertil Steril 2019; 111:1047-1053. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Velazquez MA, Fleming TP, Watkins AJ. Periconceptional environment and the developmental origins of disease. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T33-T49. [PMID: 30707679 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The concept emerging from Professor David Barker’s seminal research on the developmental origins of later-life disease has progressed in many directions since it was first published. One critical question being when during gestation might environment alter the developmental programme with such enduring consequences. Here, we review the growing consensus from clinical and animal research that the period around conception, embracing gamete maturation and early embryogenesis might be the most vulnerable period. We focus on four types of environmental exposure shown to modify periconceptional reproduction and offspring development and health: maternal overnutrition and obesity; maternal undernutrition; paternal diet and health; and assisted reproductive technology. These conditions may act through diverse epigenetic, cellular and physiological mechanisms to alter gene expression and cellular signalling and function in the conceptus affecting offspring growth and metabolism leading to increased risk for cardiometabolic and neurological disease in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Velazquez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Adam J Watkins
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Berntsen S, Söderström-Anttila V, Wennerholm UB, Laivuori H, Loft A, Oldereid NB, Romundstad LB, Bergh C, Pinborg A. The health of children conceived by ART: ‘the chicken or the egg?’. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 25:137-158. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sine Berntsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Kettegaard Alle 30, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Viveca Söderström-Anttila
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 2, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ulla-Britt Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital East, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hannele Laivuori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, Tampere, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, Tampere, Finland
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Tukhomankatu 8, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Loft
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nan B Oldereid
- Livio IVF-klinikken Oslo, Sørkedalsveien 10A, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liv Bente Romundstad
- Spiren Fertility Clinic, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christina Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anja Pinborg
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hansen M, Greenop KR, Bourke J, Baynam G, Hart RJ, Leonard H. Intellectual Disability in Children Conceived Using Assisted Reproductive Technology. Pediatrics 2018; 142:peds.2018-1269. [PMID: 30442875 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether children conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) have a higher risk of intellectual disability (ID) compared with non-ART-conceived children and describe known causes of ID in these groups. METHODS We linked ID and ART data from population-based registers in Western Australia. Our cohort included live births from 1994 to 2002 (n = 210 627) with at least 8 years of follow-up. The prevalence of ID was compared between ART- and non-ART-conceived children, and risk of ID was estimated using Poisson regression with robust SEs. We also stratified by plurality and gestation at delivery. RESULTS Children conceived using ART had a small increased risk of ID (risk ratio 1.58; 95% confidence interval 1.19-2.11) even when analyses were restricted to singleton births (risk ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval 1.10-2.21). The risk of ID was more than doubled for those born very preterm, for severe ID, and after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments. Children conceived using ICSI had a greater risk of ID than those conceived using in vitro fertilization and were more likely to have a known genetic cause for ID (27.6% vs 12.9% in vitro fertilization and 11.9% non-ART). CONCLUSIONS The risk of ID was increased in children born after ART in Western Australia from 1994 to 2002. More recent cohorts should be examined to assess the impact of important changes in ART clinical practice. Our results are particularly pertinent because multiple embryo transfers are routinely performed in many countries, increasing the risk of preterm birth, and ICSI use rates are high.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gareth Baynam
- Telethon Kids Institute and.,Divisions of Paediatrics and.,Genetic Services of Western Australia and.,Western Australia Register of Developmental Anomalies.,King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Australia; and
| | - Roger J Hart
- King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Australia; and.,Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Unexplained infertility: Is it over-diagnosed and over-treated? Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018; 53:20-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Spangmose AL, Malchau SS, Henningsen AA, Forman JL, Rasmussen S, Loft A, Schmidt L, Pinborg A. Academic performance in adolescents aged 15-16 years born after frozen embryo transfer compared with fresh embryo transfer: a nationwide registry-based cohort study. BJOG 2018; 126:261-269. [PMID: 30276983 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess academic performance in singletons aged 15-16 years conceived after frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared with singletons born after fresh embryo transfer (ET) in Danish cohorts born from 1995 to 2001. DESIGN Danish national registry-based cohort study. SETTING Danish national registries. POPULATION All 6495 singletons conceived after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in Denmark from 1995 to 2001 [FET (n) = 423; fresh ET (n) = 6072]. METHODS Mean test scores on a national standardised and international comparable grading-scale. Comparisons of test score were first made in univariate analysis (Model 1) and secondly in a multivariate linear model (Model 2) adjusting for relevant reproductive and socio-demographic covariates such as the occupational and educational level of the parents. Sensitivity analyses on FET-IVF (in vitro fertilisation) versus fresh ET-IVF and FET-ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) versus fresh ET-ICSI were made. Linear mixed models were used to account for the correlation in test scores of siblings for continuous outcome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mean overall test score and test score in Danish, mathematics, English, and physics/chemistry. RESULTS Crude and adjusted mean test scores were similar for adolescents conceived after FET compared with fresh ET. The crude mean difference was +0.11 (95% CI -0.11; 0.34), and the adjusted mean difference was +0.12 (95% CI -0.09; 0.34). CONCLUSIONS Adolescents conceived after FET had similar academic performance at 15-16 of years of age compared with children conceived after fresh ET. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Using frozen embryos in fertility treatment does not affect school performance in Danish adolescents aged 15-16 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Spangmose
- Fertility Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S S Malchau
- Fertility Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A A Henningsen
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J L Forman
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Rasmussen
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Loft
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Schmidt
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Pinborg
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zandstra H, Smits LJM, van Kuijk SMJ, van Golde RJT, Evers JLH, Dumoulin JCM, van Montfoort APA. No effect of IVF culture medium on cognitive development of 9-year-old children. Hum Reprod Open 2018; 2018:hoy018. [PMID: 30895259 PMCID: PMC6276664 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoy018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do embryo culture media used during an IVF/ICSI treatment have an effect on cognitive development of singleton IVF children at 9 years of age? SUMMARY ANSWER Cognitive development of children born after culture in two different embryo culture media is comparable. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previously, we have shown that the culture medium used in an IVF/ICSI treatment affects birthweight and weight at 2 years of age after alternating assignment to embryo culture in either K-SCICM (Cook) or G1™ Version 3 (Vitrolife). Children with low birthweight are known to have an increased risk for learning disabilities. Data on cognitive development in general of children born after ART are still conflicting, and the only study reporting on the effects of culture medium on cognitive development shows significant differences in cognitive development between two culture medium groups. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION In this observational cohort follow-up study (MEDIUM-KIDS), parents of all singletons from our abovementioned study were approached after the ninth birthday of their child to participate in an additional follow-up study. Of the 294 eligible children included in the original study, 119 children (70 Vitrolife and 49 Cook) participated in the current study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS All follow-up measurements were performed between March 2014 and December 2016. CITO (Dutch Central Institute for Test Development) developed the Dutch pupil monitoring system, which involves nationwide independent, standardized, academic achievement score tests to monitor the child's school performance twice a year at fixed time points from third grade onward. The tests include language skills (vocabulary and orthography), mathematics and reading capability and comprehension. Results from the tests performed between third and sixth grades, expressed as ability scores, were obtained from the school. To investigate school performance development over the years, we used a mixed effects multilevel model. The least complex model with the best fit was selected to analyze whether culture medium affects cognitive development in our cohort. The study had enough power to detect a difference in ability score that reflects at least one performance category between the two groups. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE No differences were seen in baseline characteristics between participants and non-participants (both parental and children characteristics). For all domains, the random intercept model was used. All analyses showed comparable results for the two culture medium groups. No significant differences were observed for any of the cognitive development domains, even after correction for potential confounders. Parental level of education was higher in the IVF group (45%) if compared to the national average level of education (35%), which most likely explains the higher CITO scores for the IVF children if compared to the National ability scores. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION A limitation of the study was its pseudo-randomized design and the relatively low participation rate of 40.5%. This and the number of missing data prevent us from drawing robust causal conclusions. However, as this is the first and therewith oldest cohort of children where culture medium was allocated alternatingly and used in a blinded setting, in the same period, with all other conditions identical this study gives up until now the best available evidence. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study analyzes the effects of culture medium on school performance of children born after IVF/ICSI in a prospective cohort study. Although further research on long-term academic skills and also on behavior is essential, our results are reassuring and should make parents of children born after IVF/ICSI feel comfortable with their children's cognitive development. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The study was financially supported by the March of Dimes (Grant no. #6-FY13-153). The sponsor of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NTR4220.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zandstra
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - L J M Smits
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - S M J van Kuijk
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - R J T van Golde
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J L H Evers
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J C M Dumoulin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A P A van Montfoort
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Heijligers M, Verheijden LMM, Jonkman LM, van der Sangen M, Meijer-Hoogeveen M, Arens Y, van der Hoeven MA, de Die-Smulders CEM. The cognitive and socio-emotional development of 5-year-old children born after PGD. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:2150-2157. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Heijligers
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - L M M Verheijden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - L M Jonkman
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M van der Sangen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M Meijer-Hoogeveen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Y Arens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M A van der Hoeven
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - C E M de Die-Smulders
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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