Health of children conceived after preimplantation genetic diagnosis: a preliminary outcome study.
A preliminary study was conducted on health of children conceived after preimplantation genetic screening and diagnosis (PGD). Forty-nine children were assessed with 66 matched naturally conceived (NC) controls. Primary outcome was neurodevelopmental screening, and secondary outcomes were evidence of other health problems and assessment of parent-child relationships. Study and control children were well matched across relevant socio-demographic variables. Growth parameters at mean age 18 months were normal. The mean Griffiths quotient was 102.7 (+/-13.1) (PGD) and 103.3 (+/-12.8) (NC), both of which were within the normal range, and did not differ significantly. PGD cases were more likely to be lighter, at <2500 g (12 children, 24.5% versus one child 1.5%, P < 0.0001) and born earlier than controls (38.2 +/- 2.6 versus 40.0 +/- 1.4 weeks; P < 0.0001), consistent with other similar studies. PGD families showed no evidence of excess stress in their relationship with their child. The PGD group had significantly higher scores on the warmth-affection sub-scale (P = 0.042), and significantly lower scores on the aggression-hostility and rejection sub-scales (P = 0.030) of the questionnaire. The study showed no major ill effects from PGD on the child health. A larger study is needed to confirm the validity of this conclusion.
Banerjee
I
I
Adolescent and General Paediatric Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 250 Euston Road, 6th Floor, London NW1 2PQ, UK.
Shevlin
M
M
Taranissi
M
M
Thornhill
A
A
Abdalla
H
H
Ozturk
O
O
Barnes
J
J
Sutcliffe
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*