Absence of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation despite early metabolic syndrome manifestations in children born after in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the metabolic profile, traditional adipokines, and indices of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation in children born as a result of IVF compared with spontaneously conceived controls.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, case-control study.


METHODS
IVF Section of the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the First Department of Pediatrics of the University of Athens.


METHODS
One hundred six children conceived after classic IVF and 68 age-matched spontaneously conceived controls, aged 4-14 years.


METHODS
Children underwent physical examination and morning fasting samples were collected.


METHODS
Lipid profile, circulating fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, high-sensitivity interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined and the fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio was calculated.


RESULTS
Children born as a result of classic IVF had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) and triglycerides than controls. These BP differences remained significant even after correction for birth size and multiple births. No significant differences in biochemical indices of insulin resistance, circulating adipokines, and inflammatory markers were detected before or after these same corrections.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite an increase of BP, children born as a result of IVF have no biochemical evidence of insulin resistance, including fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio and circulating adipokines, or low-grade chronic inflammation. However, the long-term impact of periconceptual manipulations should be closely monitored.
Sakka
Sophia D
SD
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Loutradis
Dimitrios
D
Kanaka-Gantenbein
Christina
C
Margeli
Alexandra
A
Papastamataki
Maria
M
Papassotiriou
Ioannis
I
Chrousos
George P
GP
D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D054392:Adipokines; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein