Cerebral palsy and assisted conception.
Assisted reproductive technologies have been widely used over the past 30 years, and 1% to 4% of births worldwide are products of these technologies. However, adverse health outcomes related to assisted reproductive technologies, including cerebral palsy, have been reported. We extracted and reviewed all relevant studies cited by Medline from 1996 to 2010 evaluating the role of assisted reproductive technologies as a causative factor for cerebral palsy and poor long-term neurologic outcome. The research suggests that multiple pregnancy, preterm delivery, and babies small for gestational age are factors in the development of cerebral palsy. The vanishing embryo syndrome may also play a role. We review the evidence for these potentially causative factors, as well as their implications for embryo transfer policies.
Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children and Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
Natasha Ruth
NR
Saunders
Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children and Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
Jonathan
J
Hellmann
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
Dan
D
Farine
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects*