Obstetric outcome and long-term follow up of children conceived through assisted reproduction.
Most children born after assisted reproduction techniques are healthy. The most important risk associated with in-vitro fertilisation is the higher multiple birth rate, which may result in increased child morbidity because several embryos are transferred at each cycle. Single-embryo transfer reduces this risk dramatically. Large registry studies and meta-analyses have indicated a small but statistically significantly increased risk of congenital malformations among children born after in-vitro fertilisation. Other risks, such as preterm birth and low birth weight seem to be associated more with parental characteristics than the in-vitro fertilisation technique. All knowledge about children conceived through in-vitro fertilisation is based on observational studies, with risks of bias and confounders. It is possible that pregnancies and children resulting from in-vitro fertilisation are more carefully monitored and seek health care more frequently, resulting in more health problems being discovered. Continuous follow up of children after in-vitro fertilisation is of great importance, particularly as new techniques are constantly being introduced.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. christina.bergh@vgregion.se
Christina
C
Bergh
Ulla-Britt
UB
Wennerholm
D002657:Child Development; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome