Blood pressure and anthropometrics of 4-y-old children born after preimplantation genetic screening: follow-up of a unique, moderately sized, randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies suggest that in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are associated with suboptimal cardiometabolic outcome in offspring. It is unknown whether preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), which involves embryo biopsy, affects blood pressure (BP), anthropometrics, and the frequency of received medical care.


METHODS
In this prospective multicenter follow-up study, we assessed BP, anthropometrics, and received medical care of 4-y-old children born to women who were randomly assigned to IVF/ICSI with PGS (n = 49) or without PGS (controls; n = 64). We applied linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models to investigate possible effects of PGS.


RESULTS
BP in the PGS and control groups was similar: 102/64 and 100/64 mm Hg, respectively. Main anthropometric outcomes in the PGS vs. control group were: BMI: 16.1 vs. 15.8; triceps skinfold: 108 vs. 98 mm; and subscapular skinfold: 54 vs. 53 mm (all P values > 0.05). More PGS children than controls had received paramedical care (speech, physical, or occupational therapy: 14 (29%) vs. 9 (14%); P = 0.03 in multivariable analysis). The frequency of medicial treatment was comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
PGS does not seem to affect BP or anthropometrics in 4-y-old children. The higher frequency of received paramedical care after PGS may suggest an effect of PGS on subtle developmental parameters.
Division of Developmental Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Jorien
J
Seggers
Maaike L
ML
Haadsma
Sacha la
Sl
Bastide-van Gemert
Maas Jan
MJ
Heineman
Joke H
JH
Kok
Karin J
KJ
Middelburg
Tessa J
TJ
Roseboom
Pamela
P
Schendelaar
Edwin R
ER
Van den Heuvel
Mijna
M
Hadders-Algra
D000886:Anthropometry; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D016014:Linear Models; D009426:Netherlands; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric