A cross-sectional evaluation of the first cohort of young adults conceived by in vitro fertilization in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality of life and susceptibility for chronic disease development of the oldest generation of young adults conceived by IVF in the U.S.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Single tertiary clinic.


METHODS
Young adults conceived by standard IVF between 1981 and 1990.


METHODS
Self-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
Indicators of physical, psychologic, and behavioral health.


RESULTS
A total of 173 (31%) of 560 eligible young adults completed the questionnaire. Mean age was 21.2 years (range 18-26 years) and male-to-female ratio was 3:4. A limited number were conceived through gamete donation but none through oocyte/embryo micromanipulation. Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 35% and 10%, respectively. More than 65% were ever diagnosed with a chronic condition; most diagnoses were psychiatric, ocular, respiratory, and cardiometabolic in nature. Almost 40% of respondents were lifetime smokers, 62% reported binge drinking in the previous year, and >90% were physically active in the preceding month. Survey participants were mostly similar to a subsample of the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on selected health indicators.


CONCLUSIONS
Young adults conceived by IVF appear to be healthy and well adjusted, although the preponderance of psychologic health problems requires further investigation.
Graduate Program in Public Health, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA.
Hind A
HA
Beydoun
Nicholas
N
Sicignano
May A
MA
Beydoun
David O
DO
Matson
Silvina
S
Bocca
Laurel
L
Stadtmauer
Sergio
S
Oehninger
D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children; D000465:Algorithms; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult