No increase in autism-associated genetic events in children conceived by assisted reproduction.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the rate of genetic events in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were exposed to assisted reproduction.


METHODS
Case control study using genetics data.


METHODS
Twelve collaborating data collection sites across North America as part of the Simons Simplex Collection.


METHODS
2,760 children with ASD, for whom 1,994 had published copy number variation data and 424 had published gene mutation status available.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Rates of autism-associated genetic events in children with ASD conceived with assisted reproduction versus those conceived naturally.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences in copy number variations or autism-associated gene-disrupting events were found when comparing ASD patients exposed to assisted reproduction with those not exposed to assisted reproduction.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first large genetic association to concurrently examine the genotype of individuals with ASD in relation to their exposure to ART versus natural conception, and it adds reassuring evidence to the argument that ART does not increase the risk of ASD.
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. Electronic address: sean.ackerman@vtmednet.org.
Sean
S
Ackerman
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Julia
J
Wenegrat
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
David
D
Rettew
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
Robert
R
Althoff
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Raphael
R
Bernier
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D018628:Gene Dosage; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009656:North America; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
Assisted reproduction; assisted reproductive technology; autism; copy number variation