title: Neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic outcome in 4-year-old twins and singletons born after IVF.
abstract: This prospective cohort study evaluated whether the cognitive development, neurological condition, anthropometrics and blood pressure of 4-year-old IVF twins differed from those of 4-year-old IVF singletons; 103 IVF singletons and 48 IVF twins born after conventional IVF treatment were included. Primary outcome was total intelligence quotient (IQ). Secondary outcomes were minor neurological dysfunction, anthropometrics and blood pressure. Unadjusted analyses found that the total IQ score of twins was lower than that of singletons, with a mean difference of -5.4 (-9.7 to -1.0). Weight (singletons: 18.6 [18.1 to 19.1] kg; twins: 16.9 [16.0 to 17.9] kg) and height (singletons: 108.8 [107.9 to 109.8] cm; twins: 105.9 [104.0 to 107.7] cm) of twins were lower than those of singletons (mean values [95% CI]). All differences disappeared after adjusting for mediators and confounders. Neurological outcome, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of twins and singletons were similar. Four-year-old IVF twins had a lower total IQ (-5.4 points), lowerbodyweight (-1.7 kg) and were shorter (-2.9 cm) than 4-year-old IVF singletons. After adjustment, the adverse twin effect disappeared, implying that increased risk for impaired health and development in twins also holds true for IVF twins, and is not altered by IVF.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Derk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kuiper
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bennema
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: la Bastide-van Gemert
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seggers
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schendelaar
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Genetics, Division of Clinical Genetics, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maaike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haadsma
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annemieke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoek
authors.affiliation: University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam AZ 1105, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maas-Jan
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Heineman
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Developmental Neurology, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen GZ 9713, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.hadders-algra@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Mijna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadders-Algra
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014427:Twins
keywords: Cardiometabolic; IVF; Neurodevelopmental; Pre-school age; Twins