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Schottler NI, Sutcliffe AG. Children born to subfertile couples, how are they doing? Evidence from research. Arch Dis Child 2024:archdischild-2023-326023. [PMID: 38589201 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-326023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
More than 10 million children have been born with assisted reproductive technology (ART) as we begin to enter the third generation of individuals conceived by ART. Here we summarise key messages from an enlarging body of literature regarding their health. Earlier research had pointed towards increases in perinatal, neonatal and neurological risks, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital malformations and cerebral palsy. Many of these risks have continued to persist in most recent work but have shown reduction. Newer research proposes long-term cardiometabolic and endocrine concerns. Fortunately, most reports conclude there is little or no risk of increased childhood malignancy or abnormal neurodevelopment. Moving forward, new research may benefit from changes in comparator groups and a better understanding of infertility per se in ART, and the confounding role it probably plays in many of the known risk associations, to reliably scan the horizon for health threats for individuals born after ART.
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Onyije FM, Dolatkhah R, Olsson A, Bouaoun L, Deltour I, Erdmann F, Bonaventure A, Scheurer ME, Clavel J, Schüz J. Risk factors for childhood brain tumours: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies from 1976 to 2022. Cancer Epidemiol 2024; 88:102510. [PMID: 38056243 PMCID: PMC10835339 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood brain tumours (CBTs) are the leading cause of cancer death in children under the age of 20 years globally. Though the aetiology of CBT remains poorly understood, it is thought to be multifactorial. We aimed to synthesize potential risk factors for CBT to inform primary prevention. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies indexed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from the start of those resources through 27 July 2023. We included data from case-control or cohort studies that reported effect estimates for each risk factor around the time of conception, during pregnancy and/or during post-natal period. Random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate summary effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also quantified heterogeneity (I2) across studies. FINDINGS A total of 4040 studies were identified, of which 181 studies (85 case-control and 96 cohort studies) met our criteria for inclusion. Of all eligible studies, 50% (n = 91) were conducted in Europe, 32% (n = 57) in North America, 9% (n = 16) in Australia, 8% (n = 15) in Asia, 1% (n = 2) in South America, and none in Africa. We found associations for some modifiable risk factors including childhood domestic exposures to insecticides (ES 1.44, 95% CI 1.20-1.73) and herbicides (ES 2.38, 95% CI 1.31-4.33). Maternal domestic exposure to insecticides (ES 1.45, 95% CI 1.09-1.94), maternal consumption of cured meat (ES 1.51, 95% CI 1.05-2.17) and coffee ≥ 2 cups/day (ES 1.45, 95% 95% CI 1.07-1.95) during pregnancy, and maternal exposure to benzene (ES 2.22; 95% CI 1.01-4.88) before conception were associated with CBTs in case-control studies. Also, paternal occupational exposure to pesticides (ES 1.48, 95% CI 1.23-1.77) and benzene (ES 1.74, 95% CI 1.10-2.76) before conception and during pregnancy were associated in case-control studies and in combined analysis. On the other hand, assisted reproductive technology (ART) (ES 1.32, 95% CI 1.05-1.67), caesarean section (CS) (ES 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.25), paternal occupational exposure to paint before conception (ES 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.40) and maternal smoking > 10 cigarettes per day during pregnancy (ES 1.18, 95% CI 1.00-1.40) were associated with CBT in cohort studies. Maternal intake of vitamins and folic acid during pregnancy was inversely associated in cohort studies. Hormonal/infertility treatment, breastfeeding, child day-care attendance, maternal exposure to electric heated waterbed, tea and alcohol consumption during pregnancy were among those not associated with CBT in both case-control and cohort studies. CONCLUSION Our results should be interpreted with caution, especially as most associations between risk factors and CBT were discordant between cohort and case-control studies. At present, it is premature for any CBT to define specific primary prevention guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix M Onyije
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 25 avenue Tony Garnier, CS 90627, 69366 LYON CEDEX 07, France.
| | - Roya Dolatkhah
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 25 avenue Tony Garnier, CS 90627, 69366 LYON CEDEX 07, France
| | - Ann Olsson
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 25 avenue Tony Garnier, CS 90627, 69366 LYON CEDEX 07, France
| | - Liacine Bouaoun
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 25 avenue Tony Garnier, CS 90627, 69366 LYON CEDEX 07, France
| | - Isabelle Deltour
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 25 avenue Tony Garnier, CS 90627, 69366 LYON CEDEX 07, France
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Research Group Aetiology and Inequalities in Childhood Cancer, Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraβe 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Audrey Bonaventure
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers Team, Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Villejuif, France
| | - Michael E Scheurer
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jacqueline Clavel
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers Team, Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Villejuif, France; National Registry of Childhood Cancers, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Paris-Sud, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Villejuif, France; Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 25 avenue Tony Garnier, CS 90627, 69366 LYON CEDEX 07, France
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Ginod P, Dahan MH. Polygenic embryo screening: are there potential maternal and fetal harms? Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103327. [PMID: 37820464 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Polygenic embryo screening (PES) and its derivate the Embryo Health Score (EHS) have generated interest in both infertile and fertile populations due to their potential ability to select embryos with a reduced risk of disease and improved long-term health outcomes. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential harms of IVF itself, including possible epigenetic changes that may affect the health of the offspring in late adulthood, which are not fully captured in the EHS calculation. Knowledge of the potential impacts of the trophectoderm biopsy, which is a key component of the PES procedure, on the offsprings' health is limited by the heterogeneity of the population characteristics used in the published studies. Nonetheless, the literature suggests a possible increased risk of preterm delivery, birth defects and pre-eclampsia after trophectoderm biopsy. Overall, the risks of PES for prenatal and postnatal health remain uncertain, and further research is needed. Counselling patients regarding these risks before considering PES is important, to provide an understanding of the risks and benefits. This review aims to highlight some of these issues, the need for continued investigation in this area, and the importance of informed decision-making in the context of PES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Ginod
- MUHC Reproductive Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique et Assistance Médicale à la Procréation, Dijon, France
| | - Michael H Dahan
- MUHC Reproductive Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
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Nemes K, Benesch M, Kolarova J, Johann P, Hasselblatt M, Thomas C, Bens S, Glaser S, Ammerpohl O, Liaugaudiene O, Sadeghipour A, von der Weid N, Schmid I, Gidding C, Erdreich-Epstein A, Khurana C, Ebetsberger-Dachs G, Lemmer A, Khatib Z, Hernández Marqués C, Pears J, Quehenberger F, Kordes U, Vokuhl C, Gerss J, Schwarz H, Bison B, Biegel JA, Siebert R, Frühwald MC. Rhabdoid tumors in patients conceived following ART: is there an association? Hum Reprod 2023; 38:2028-2038. [PMID: 37553222 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION In children affected by rhabdoid tumors (RT), are there clinical, therapeutic, and/or (epi-)genetic differences between those conceived following ART compared to those conceived without ART? SUMMARY ANSWER We detected a significantly elevated female predominance, and a lower median age at diagnosis, of children with RT conceived following ART (RT_ART) as compared to other children with RT. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Anecdotal evidence suggests an association of ART with RT. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a multi-institutional retrospective survey. Children with RT conceived by ART were identified in our EU-RHAB database (n = 11/311 children diagnosed between January 2010 and January 2018) and outside the EU-RHAB database (n = 3) from nine different countries. A population-representative German EU-RHAB control cohort of children with RTs conceived without ART (n = 211) (EU-RHAB control cohort) during the same time period was used as a control cohort for clinical, therapeutic, and survival analyses. The median follow-up time was 11.5 months (range 0-120 months) for children with RT_ART and 18.5 months (range 0-153 months) for the EU-RHAB control cohort. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We analyzed 14 children with RT_ART diagnosed from January 2010 to January 2018. We examined tumors and matching blood samples for SMARCB1 mutations and copy number alterations using FISH, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and DNA sequencing. DNA methylation profiling of tumor and/or blood samples was performed using DNA methylation arrays and compared to respective control cohorts of similar age (n = 53 tumors of children with RT conceived without ART, and n = 38 blood samples of children with no tumor born small for gestational age). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The median age at diagnosis of 14 individuals with RT_ART was 9 months (range 0-66 months), significantly lower than the median age of patients with RT (n = 211) in the EU-RHAB control cohort (16 months (range 0-253), P = 0.03). A significant female predominance was observed in the RT_ART cohort (M:F ratio: 2:12 versus 116:95 in EU-RHAB control cohort, P = 0.004). Eight of 14 RT_ART patients were diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, three with extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor, one with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney and two with synchronous tumors. The location of primary tumors did not differ significantly in the EU-RHAB control cohort (P = 0.27). Six of 14 RT_ART patients presented with metastases at diagnosis. Metastatic stage was not significantly different from that within the EU-RHAB control cohort (6/14 vs 88/211, P = 1). The incidence of pathogenic germline variants was five of the 12 tested RT_ART patients and, thus, not significantly different from the EU-RHAB control cohort (5/12 versus 36/183 tested, P = 0.35). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event free survival (EFS) rates of RT_ART patients were 42.9 ± 13.2% and 21.4 ± 11%, respectively, and thus comparable to the EU-RHAB control cohort (OS 41.1 ± 3.5% and EFS 32.1 ± 3.3). We did not find other clinical, therapeutic, outcome factors distinguishing patients with RT_ART from children with RTs conceived without ART (EU-RHAB control cohort). DNA methylation analyses of 10 tumors (atypical teratoid RT = 6, extracranial, extrarenal malignant RT = 4) and six blood samples from RT_ART patients showed neither evidence of a general DNA methylation difference nor underlying imprinting defects, respectively, when compared to a control group (n = 53 RT samples of patients without ART, P = 0.51, n = 38 blood samples of patients born small for gestational age, P = 0.1205). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION RTs are very rare malignancies and our results are based on a small number of children with RT_ART. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This cohort of patients with RT_ART demonstrated a marked female predominance, and a rather low median age at diagnosis even for RTs. Other clinical, treatment, outcome, and molecular factors did not differ from those conceived without ART (EU-RHAB control cohort) or reported in other series, and there was no evidence for imprinting defects. Long-term survival is achievable even in cases with pathogenic germline variants, metastatic disease at diagnosis, or relapse. The female preponderance among RT_ART patients is not yet understood and needs to be evaluated, ideally in larger international series. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) M.C.F. is supported by the 'Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung' DKS 2020.10, by the 'Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft' DFG FR 1516/4-1 and by the Deutsche Krebshilfe 70113981. R.S. received grant support by Deutsche Krebshilfe 70114040 and for infrastructure by the KinderKrebsInitiative Buchholz/Holm-Seppensen. P.D.J. is supported by the Else-Kroener-Fresenius Stiftung and receives a Max-Eder scholarship from the Deutsche Krebshilfe. M.H. is supported by DFG (HA 3060/8-1) and IZKF Münster (Ha3/017/20). BB is supported by the 'Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung' DKS 2020.05. We declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Nemes
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Germany
| | - Martin Benesch
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kolarova
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Pascal Johann
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Germany
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Bens
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Selina Glaser
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ole Ammerpohl
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olga Liaugaudiene
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kauno Klinikos, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Alireza Sadeghipour
- Department of Pathology, Rasoul Akram Medical Complex, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nicolas von der Weid
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene Schmid
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, München, Germany
| | - Corrie Gidding
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anat Erdreich-Epstein
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Claudia Khurana
- Children's Center, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Lemmer
- Children's Hospital, HELIOS Klinikum Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Ziad Khatib
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Miami Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Jane Pears
- Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Franz Quehenberger
- Institute for Medical Statistics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Uwe Kordes
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Section of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Gerss
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Heike Schwarz
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Germany
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Bison
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Neuroradiological Reference Center for the Pediatric Brain Tumor (HIT) Studies of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Jaclyn A Biegel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center, Germany
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Ahmadi H, Aghebati-Maleki L, Rashidiani S, Csabai T, Nnaemeka OB, Szekeres-Bartho J. Long-Term Effects of ART on the Health of the Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13564. [PMID: 37686370 PMCID: PMC10487905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) significantly increase the chance of successful pregnancy and live birth in infertile couples. The different procedures for ART, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT), are widely used to overcome infertility-related problems. In spite of its inarguable usefulness, concerns about the health consequences of ART-conceived babies have been raised. There are reports about the association of ART with birth defects and health complications, e.g., malignancies, high blood pressure, generalized vascular functional disorders, asthma and metabolic disorders in later life. It has been suggested that hormonal treatment of the mother, and the artificial environment during the manipulation of gametes and embryos may cause genomic and epigenetic alterations and subsequent complications in the health status of ART-conceived babies. In the current study, we aimed to review the possible long-term consequences of different ART procedures on the subsequent health status of ART-conceived offspring, considering the confounding factors that might account for/contribute to the long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran;
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran
| | - Shima Rashidiani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Timea Csabai
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Obodo Basil Nnaemeka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs University, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Julia Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA—PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
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Gulrajani NB, Montes S, McGough D, Wimberly CE, Khattab A, Semmes EC, Towry L, Cohen JL, Hurst JH, Landi D, Hill SN, Walsh KM. Assisted reproductive technology and association with childhood cancer subtypes. Cancer Med 2023; 12:3410-3418. [PMID: 35929579 PMCID: PMC9939138 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between assisted reproductive technology (ART) use and childhood cancer subtype. STUDY DESIGN We deployed a cross-sectional survey of 1701 parents of children with cancer about their ART use, demographics, and gestational and perinatal factors. Multivariable logistic regression modeled the association between ART use, birthweight and multiple gestation status with childhood cancer, by subtype. RESULTS ART use was highest among children with osteosarcoma relative to children with other cancer types, and this association was statistically significant in multivariable models (OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 1.7-11.3; p = 0.0020). ART use was also elevated among children with hepatoblastoma, but this relationship appeared to be due to the strong associations between ART use and lower birthweight in our sample. No specific ART modality appeared to drive these associations. In univariate models, multiple gestation was associated with a 2.7-fold increased odds of hepatoblastoma (OR = 2.71; 95% CI = 1.14-6.42; p = 0.02) and a 1.6-fold increased odds of neuroblastoma (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.03-2.54; p = 0.03), but these associations were not retained in multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS Associations between ART use and hepatoblastoma risk may be attributable to birthweight, a known hepatoblastoma risk factor. ART use may also be associated with osteosarcoma, independent of birthweight, an association not previously observed in studies limited to cancers diagnosed before adolescence. Evaluating long-term health outcomes in children conceived by ART, throughout adolescence and potentially into adulthood, appears warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B. Gulrajani
- Children's Health and Discovery Institute, Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Samuel Montes
- Master of Biomedical Sciences ProgramDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Daniel McGough
- Master of Biomedical Sciences ProgramDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Courtney E. Wimberly
- Department of Neurosurgery and Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor CenterDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Ameera Khattab
- Master of Biomedical Sciences ProgramDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Eleanor C. Semmes
- Children's Health and Discovery Institute, Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Lisa Towry
- My Childhood Cancer ProgramAlex's Lemonade Stand FoundationBala CynwydPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jennifer L. Cohen
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jillian H. Hurst
- Children's Health and Discovery Institute, Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Daniel Landi
- Department of Neurosurgery and Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor CenterDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sherika N. Hill
- Children's Health and Discovery Institute, Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development InstituteThe University of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Kyle M. Walsh
- Children's Health and Discovery Institute, Department of PediatricsDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Neurosurgery and Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor CenterDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Duke Cancer InstituteDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
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7
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Luke B, Brown MB, Wantman E, Schymura MJ, Browne ML, Fisher SC, Forestieri NE, Rao C, Nichols HB, Yazdy MM, Gershman ST, Sacha CR, Williams M, Ethen MK, Canfield MA, Doody KJ, Eisenberg ML, Baker VL, Williams C, Sutcliffe AG, Richard MA, Lupo PJ. The risks of birth defects and childhood cancer with conception by assisted reproductive technology. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2672-2689. [PMID: 36112004 PMCID: PMC9960485 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there an association between fertility status, method of conception and the risks of birth defects and childhood cancer? SUMMARY ANSWER The risk of childhood cancer had two independent components: (i) method of conception and (ii) presence, type and number of birth defects. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The rarity of the co-occurrence of birth defects, cancer and ART makes studying their association challenging. Prior studies have indicated that infertility and ART are associated with an increased risk of birth defects or cancer but have been limited by small sample size and inadequate statistical power, failure to adjust for or include plurality, differences in definitions and/or methods of ascertainment, lack of information on ART treatment parameters or study periods spanning decades resulting in a substantial historical bias as ART techniques have improved. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a population-based cohort study linking ART cycles reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2017 that resulted in live births in 2004-2018 in Massachusetts and North Carolina and live births in 2004-2017 in Texas and New York. A 10:1 sample of non-ART births were chosen within the same time period as the ART birth. Non-ART siblings were identified through the ART mother's information. Children from non-ART births were classified as being born to women who conceived with ovulation induction or IUI (OI/IUI) when there was an indication of infertility treatment on the birth certificate, and the woman did not link to the SART CORS; all others were classified as being naturally conceived. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study population included 165 125 ART children, 31 524 non-ART siblings, 12 451 children born to OI/IUI-treated women and 1 353 440 naturally conceived children. All study children were linked to their respective State birth defect registries to identify major defects diagnosed within the first year of life. We classified children with major defects as either chromosomal (i.e. presence of a chromosomal defect with or without any other major defect) or nonchromosomal (i.e. presence of a major defect but having no chromosomal defect), or all major defects (chromosomal and nonchromosomal), and calculated rates per 1000 children. Logistic regression models were used to generate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CIs of the risk of birth defects by conception group (OI/IUI, non-ART sibling and ART by oocyte source and embryo state) with naturally conceived children as the reference, adjusted for paternal and maternal ages; maternal race and ethnicity, education, BMI, parity, diabetes, hypertension; and for plurality, infant sex and State and year of birth. All study children were also linked to their respective State cancer registries. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of cancer by birth defect status (including presence of a defect, type and number of defects), and conception group. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 29 571 singleton children (2.0%) and 3753 twin children (3.5%) had a major birth defect (chromosomal or nonchromosomal). Children conceived with ART from autologous oocytes had increased risks for nonchromosomal defects, including blastogenesis, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and, for males only, genitourinary defects, with AORs ranging from 1.22 to 1.85; children in the autologous-fresh group also had increased risks for musculoskeletal (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.13, 1.45) and orofacial defects (AOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.17, 1.68). Within the donor oocyte group, the children conceived from fresh embryos did not have increased risks in any birth defect category, whereas children conceived from thawed embryos had increased risks for nonchromosomal defects (AOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03, 1.40) and blastogenesis defects (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.14, 2.65). The risk of cancer was increased among ART children in the autologous-fresh group (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08, 1.59) and non-ART siblings (1.34, 95% CI 1.02, 1.76). The risk of leukemia was increased among children in the OI/IUI group (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.04, 4.47) and non-ART siblings (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.02, 2.61). The risk of central nervous system tumors was increased among ART children in the autologous-fresh group (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14, 2.48), donor-fresh group (HR 2.57, 95% CI 1.04, 6.32) and non-ART siblings (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.12, 3.03). ART children in the autologous-fresh group were also at increased risk for solid tumors (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.09, 1.77). A total of 127 children had both major birth defects and cancer, of which 53 children (42%) had leukemia. The risk of cancer had two independent components: (i) method of conception (described above) and (ii) presence, type and number of birth defects. The presence of nonchromosomal defects increased the cancer risk, greater for two or more defects versus one defect, for all cancers and each type evaluated. The presence of chromosomal defects was strongly associated with cancer risk (HR 8.70 for all cancers and HR 21.90 for leukemia), further elevated in the presence of both chromosomal and nonchromosomal defects (HR 21.29 for all cancers, HR 64.83 for leukemia and HR 4.71 for embryonal tumors). Among the 83 946 children born from ART in the USA in 2019 compared to their naturally conceived counterparts, these risks translate into an estimated excess of 761 children with major birth defects, 31 children with cancer and 11 children with both major birth defects and cancer. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In the SART CORS database, it was not possible to differentiate method of embryo freezing (slow freezing versus vitrification), and data on ICSI were only available in the fresh embryo ART group. In the OI/IUI group, it was not possible to differentiate type of non-ART treatment utilized, and in both the ART and OI/IUI groups, data were unavailable on duration of infertility. Since OI/IUI is underreported on the birth certificate, some OI/IUI children were likely included among the naturally conceived children, which will decrease the difference between all the groups and the naturally conceived children. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The use of ART is associated with increased risks of major nonchromosomal birth defects. The presence of birth defects is associated with greater risks for cancer, which adds to the baseline risk in the ART group. Although this study does not show causality, these findings indicate that children conceived with ART, non-ART siblings, and all children with birth defects should be monitored more closely for the subsequent development of cancer. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This project was supported by grant R01 HD084377 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, or the National Institutes of Health, nor any of the State Departments of Health which contributed data. M.L.E. reports consultancy for Ro, Hannah, Dadi, Sandstone and Underdog; presidency of SSMR; and SMRU board member. The remaining authors report no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Luke
- Correspondence address. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, 965 Wilson Road, East Fee Hall, Room 628, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. Tel: +1-517-353-1678; Fax: +1-517-353-1663; E-mail:
| | - Morton B Brown
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Maria J Schymura
- New York State Department of Health, New York State Cancer Registry, Albany, NY, USA,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Marilyn L Browne
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA,New York State Department of Health, Birth Defects Registry, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Sarah C Fisher
- New York State Department of Health, Birth Defects Registry, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Nina E Forestieri
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Birth Defects Monitoring Program, State Center for Health Statistics, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Chandrika Rao
- North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Hazel B Nichols
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mahsa M Yazdy
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan T Gershman
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Cancer Registry, Office of Data Management and Outcomes Assessment, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin R Sacha
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Melanie Williams
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Health and Human Services, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mary K Ethen
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Valerie L Baker
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carrie Williams
- Policy, Practice, and Population Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alastair G Sutcliffe
- Policy, Practice, and Population Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Melissa A Richard
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Bal MH, Harlev A, Sergienko R, Levitas E, Har-Vardi I, Zeadna A, Mark-Reich A, Becker H, Ben-David N, Naggan L, Wainstock T. Possible association between in vitro fertilization technologies and offspring neoplasm. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:105-113. [PMID: 33597091 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the association among fertility treatments, treatment protocol, and offspring neoplasm risk up to the age of 18 years. DESIGN A population-based retrospective cohort. SETTING Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC), the single tertiary medical center and in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit in southern Israel. PATIENT(S) All offspring born at the SUMC between the years 1995 and 2018 after IVF treatment (the exposed group) and offspring conceived spontaneously (the unexposed group). INTERVENTION(S) The study was performed at the SUMC, the single tertiary medical center and IVF unit in southern Israel. The exposed and unexposed were matched with a ratio of 1:4, based on maternal age and calendar month of delivery. Data collection included a summary of the couple's medical records, delivery data, and offspring neoplasm diagnoses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Offspring neoplasm of any kind and time to diagnosis in each of the groups. RESULT(S) A total of 1,583 exposed and 5,874 offspring were included in the study. The incidences of offspring benign neoplasm were 14 (0.9%) versus 21 (0.4%), and the incidences of malignancies were 17 (1.1%) versus 29 (0.5%) among offspring of the IVF and spontaneous groups, respectively. The association between mode of conception and offspring neoplasm risk remained significant after adjusting for confounders, including mode of delivery and pregnancy complications such as hypertensive disorder, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preterm delivery compared with spontaneously conceived offspring. Among the IVF group, the increased risk for neoplasm was found among offspring who were transferred as fresh embryos, at an earlier stage of development (cleavage stage), or after three or more aspirated oocytes. CONCLUSION(S) IVF treatment is associated with offspring neoplasm risk; specifically, the risk was greater among offspring who were returned as fresh embryos, at an earlier embryotic stage (cleavage stage), or after three or more aspirated oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maayan Hagbi Bal
- Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Avi Harlev
- In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ruslan Sergienko
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Eliahu Levitas
- Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Iris Har-Vardi
- Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Atif Zeadna
- Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Aya Mark-Reich
- Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hadas Becker
- Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Noa Ben-David
- Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Lechaim Naggan
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tamar Wainstock
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Catford SR, Lewis S, Halliday J, Kennedy J, O'Bryan MK, McBain J, Amor DJ, Rombauts L, Saffery R, Hart RJ, McLachlan RI. Health and fertility of ICSI-conceived young men: study protocol. Hum Reprod Open 2020; 2020:hoaa042. [PMID: 33033755 PMCID: PMC7532549 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoaa042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTIONS What are the long-term health and reproductive outcomes for young men conceived using ICSI whose fathers had spermatogenic failure (STF)? Are there epigenetic consequences of ICSI conception? WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Currently, little is known about the health of ICSI-conceived adults, and in particular the health and reproductive potential of ICSI-conceived men whose fathers had STF. Only one group to date has assessed semen parameters and reproductive hormones in ICSI-conceived men and suggested higher rates of impaired semen quality compared to spontaneously conceived (SC) peers. Metabolic parameters in this same cohort of men were mostly comparable. No study has yet evaluated other aspects of adult health. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION This cohort study aims to evaluate the general health and development (aim 1), fertility and metabolic parameters (aim 2) and epigenetic signatures (aim 3) of ICSI-conceived sons whose fathers had STF (ICSI study group). There are three age-matched control groups: ICSI-conceived sons whose fathers had obstructive azoospermia (OAZ) and who will be recruited in this study, as well as IVF sons and SC sons, recruited from other studies. Of 1112 ICSI parents including fathers with STF and OAZ, 78% (n = 867) of mothers and 74% (n = 823) of fathers were traced and contacted. Recruitment of ICSI sons started in March 2017 and will finish in July 2020. Based on preliminary participation rates, we estimate the following sample size will be achieved for the ICSI study group: mothers n = 275, fathers n = 225, sons n = 115. Per aim, the sample sizes of OAZ-ICSI (estimated), IVF and SC controls are: Aim 1-OAZ-ICSI: 28 (maternal surveys)/12 (son surveys), IVF: 352 (maternal surveys)/244 (son surveys), SC: 428 (maternal surveys)/255 (son surveys); Aim 2-OAZ-ICSI: 12, IVF: 72 (metabolic data), SC: 391 (metabolic data)/365 (reproductive data); Aim 3-OAZ-ICSI: 12, IVF: 71, SC: 292. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS Eligible parents are those who underwent ICSI at one of two major infertility treatment centres in Victoria, Australia and gave birth to one or more males between January 1994 and January 2000. Eligible sons are those aged 18 years or older, whose fathers had STF or OAZ, and whose parents allow researchers to approach sons. IVF and SC controls are age-matched men derived from previous studies, some from the same source population. Participating ICSI parents and sons complete a questionnaire, the latter also undergoing a clinical assessment. Outcome measures include validated survey questions, physical examination (testicular volumes, BMI and resting blood pressure), reproductive hormones (testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, FSH, LH), serum metabolic parameters (fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, highly sensitive C-reactive protein) and semen analysis. For epigenetic and future genetic analyses, ICSI sons provide specimens of blood, saliva, sperm and seminal fluid while their parents provide a saliva sample. The primary outcomes of interest are the number of mother-reported hospitalisations of the son; son-reported quality of life; prevalence of moderate-severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentration <5 million/ml) and DNA methylation profile. For each outcome, differences between the ICSI study group and each control group will be investigated using multivariable linear and logistic regression for continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. Results will be presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study is funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Grant (NHMRC APP1140706) and was partially funded by the Monash IVF Research and Education Foundation. L.R. is a minority shareholder and the Group Medical Director for Monash IVF Group, and reports personal fees from Monash IVF group and Ferring Australia, honoraria from Ferring Australia, and travel fees from Merck Serono, MSD and Guerbet; R.J.H. is the Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia and has equity in Western IVF; R.I.M. is a consultant for and a shareholder of Monash IVF Group and S.R.C. reports personal fees from Besins Healthcare and non-financial support from Merck outside of the submitted work. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE Not applicable. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Catford
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - S Lewis
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - J Halliday
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - J Kennedy
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - M K O'Bryan
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia
| | - J McBain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia.,Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne 3002, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - D J Amor
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - L Rombauts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia.,Monash IVF Group Pty Ltd, Melbourne 3121, Australia
| | - R Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - R J Hart
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia.,Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Claremont 6010, Australia
| | - R I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia.,Monash IVF Group Pty Ltd, Melbourne 3121, Australia
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10
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Cancer risk in children born after assisted reproductive technology. GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-020-00334-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Spaan M, van den Belt-Dusebout AW, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Hauptmann M, Lambalk CB, Burger CW, van Leeuwen FE. Risk of cancer in children and young adults conceived by assisted reproductive technology. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:740-750. [PMID: 30715305 PMCID: PMC6443110 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do children conceived by ART have an increased risk of cancer? SUMMARY ANSWER Overall, ART-conceived children do not appear to have an increased risk of cancer. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Despite the increasing use of ART, i.e. IVF or ICSI worldwide, information about possible long-term health risks for children conceived by these techniques is scarce. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A nationwide historical cohort study with prospective follow-up (median 21 years), including all live-born offspring from women treated with subfertility treatments between 1980 and 2001. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS All offspring of a nationwide cohort of subfertile women (OMEGA study) treated in one of the 12 Dutch IVF clinics or two fertility clinics. Of 47 690 live-born children, 24 269 were ART-conceived, 13 761 naturally conceived and 9660 were conceived naturally or through fertility drugs, but not by ART. Information on the conception method of each child and potential confounders were collected through the mothers’ questionnaires and medical records. Cancer incidence was ascertained through linkage with The Netherlands Cancer Registry from 1 January 1989 until 1 November 2016. Cancer risk in ART-conceived children was compared with risks in naturally conceived children from subfertile women (hazard ratios [HRs]) and with the general population (standardized incidence ratios [SIRs]). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The median follow-up was 21 years (interquartile range (IQR): 17–25) and was shorter in ART-conceived children (20 years, IQR: 17–23) compared with naturally conceived children (24 years, IQR: 20–30). In total, 231 cancers were observed. Overall cancer risk was not increased in ART-conceived children, neither compared with naturally conceived children from subfertile women (HR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.72–1.38) nor compared with the general population (SIR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.90–1.36). From 18 years of age onwards, the HR of cancer in ART-conceived versus naturally conceived individuals was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.73–2.13). Slightly but non-significantly increased risks were observed in children conceived by ICSI or cryopreservation (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.81–2.85; 1.80, 95% CI: 0.65–4.95, respectively). Risks of lymphoblastic leukemia (HR = 2.44, 95% CI: 0.81–7.37) and melanoma (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 0.66–5.27) were non-significantly increased for ART-conceived compared with naturally conceived children. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Despite the large size and long follow-up of the cohort, the number of cancers was rather small for subgroup analyses as cancer in children and young adults is rare. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Overall, ART-conceived children do not appear to have an increased cancer risk after a median follow-up of 21 years. This large study provides important results, enabling physicians to better inform couples considering ART about the long-term safety of ART for their children. However, larger studies with prolonged follow-up are needed to investigate cancer risk in adults and in children conceived by ICSI and/or from cryopreserved embryos. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by The Dutch Cancer Society (NKI 2006-3631) which funded the OMEGA-women’s cohort and Children Cancer Free (KIKA;147) which funded the OMEGA-offspring cohort. We declare no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Spaan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Michael Hauptmann
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis B Lambalk
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Curt W Burger
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center. Wytemaweg, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Flora E van Leeuwen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Hargreave M, Jensen A, Hansen MK, Dehlendorff C, Winther JF, Schmiegelow K, Kjær SK. Association Between Fertility Treatment and Cancer Risk in Children. JAMA 2019; 322:2203-2210. [PMID: 31821431 PMCID: PMC7081748 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.18037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE An increasing number of children worldwide are born after the use of fertility treatment, although it remains unclear whether the treatment affects the risk of childhood cancer and whether any associations observed are due to the use of specific drugs, the use of specific procedures, or the underlying infertility. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between different types of fertility treatments and cancer risk in children. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort study based on Danish population-based registry data and the Danish Infertility Cohort (individual record linkage) that included 1 085 172 children born in Denmark between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2012, linked with parental information. There were a total of 2217 children diagnosed with cancer (follow-up occurred during 1996-2015). EXPOSURES Maternal fertility treatment during the index pregnancy, including the use of fertility drugs (clomiphene [n = 33 835], gonadotropins [n = 57 136], gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs [n = 38 653], human chorionic gonadotropin [n = 68 181], progesterone [n = 41 628], and estrogen [n = 16 948]) and assisted reproductive technology (in vitro fertilization [n = 19 448], intracytoplasmic sperm injection [n = 13 417], and frozen embryo transfer [n = 3356]). Each exposure was examined separately and compared with children born to fertile women. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Hazard ratios and incidence rate differences for childhood cancer. RESULTS After 12.2 million person-years of follow-up (mean, 11.3 years), the incidence rate of childhood cancer was 17.5 per 100 000 for children born to fertile women (n = 910 291) and 44.4 per 100 000 for children born after the use of frozen embryo transfer (n = 3356). Compared with children born to fertile women, the use of frozen embryo transfer was associated with an elevated risk of childhood cancer (14 cancer cases; hazard ratio, 2.43 [95% CI, 1.44 to 4.11]; incidence rate difference, 26.9 [95% CI, 2.8 to 51.0] per 100 000), mainly due to an increased risk of leukemia (5 cancer cases; incidence rate, 14.4 per 100 000; hazard ratio, 2.87 [95% CI, 1.19 to 6.93]; incidence rate difference, 10.1 [95% CI, -4.0 to 24.2] per 100 000) and sympathetic nervous system tumors (<5 cancer cases; hazard ratio, 7.82 [95% CI, 2.47 to 24.70]). There were no statistically significant associations with the use of the other types of fertility treatment examined. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among children born in Denmark, the use of frozen embryo transfer, compared with children born to fertile women, was associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of childhood cancer; this association was not found for the use of other types of fertility treatment examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Hargreave
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Allan Jensen
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Kjær Hansen
- Statistics and Pharmacoepidemiology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Dehlendorff
- Statistics and Pharmacoepidemiology, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jeanette Falck Winther
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University and University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kjeld Schmiegelow
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juliane Marie Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne K. Kjær
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Gilboa D, Koren G, Barer Y, Katz R, Rotem R, Lunenfeld E, Shalev V. Assisted reproductive technology and the risk of pediatric cancer: A population based study and a systematic review and meta analysis. Cancer Epidemiol 2019; 63:101613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2019.101613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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14
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Cancer Risk in Children and Young Adults (Offspring) Born after Medically Assisted Reproduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/j2040028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have investigated the relationship between medically assisted reproduction (MAR) and health outcomes, particularly cancer, in the offspring. This meta-analysis investigated the association between MAR and childhood cancer. Data sources were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up until June 2018. From the selected studies, we extracted the cancer risk estimates of the exposure of interest (MAR, assisted reproductive technology—ART, and in fitro fertilization—IVF). We conducted the meta-analysis using a random effects model. The outcomes of interest were childhood cancers, classified according to the international classification of childhood cancer (ICCC-3). In our meta-analysis (18 cohort and 15 case-control studies) the overall cancer risk was significantly increased in children conceived by MAR, ART, or IVF. MAR and ART significantly increased the risk for hematological tumors, hepatic tumors, and sarcomas (odds ratio (OR) 1.54; 95% CI 1.18–2.02 and OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.34–2.74, respectively). MAR increased acute myeloid leukemia risk (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02–1.95) and ART increased neural cancer risk (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.01–1.46). Our results suggest an increased risk of cancer in children conceived by MAR. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of fertility treatments, parental subfertility status, and their association on health outcomes in the offspring.
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Velazquez MA, Fleming TP, Watkins AJ. Periconceptional environment and the developmental origins of disease. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T33-T49. [PMID: 30707679 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The concept emerging from Professor David Barker’s seminal research on the developmental origins of later-life disease has progressed in many directions since it was first published. One critical question being when during gestation might environment alter the developmental programme with such enduring consequences. Here, we review the growing consensus from clinical and animal research that the period around conception, embracing gamete maturation and early embryogenesis might be the most vulnerable period. We focus on four types of environmental exposure shown to modify periconceptional reproduction and offspring development and health: maternal overnutrition and obesity; maternal undernutrition; paternal diet and health; and assisted reproductive technology. These conditions may act through diverse epigenetic, cellular and physiological mechanisms to alter gene expression and cellular signalling and function in the conceptus affecting offspring growth and metabolism leading to increased risk for cardiometabolic and neurological disease in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Velazquez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Adam J Watkins
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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16
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Berntsen S, Söderström-Anttila V, Wennerholm UB, Laivuori H, Loft A, Oldereid NB, Romundstad LB, Bergh C, Pinborg A. The health of children conceived by ART: ‘the chicken or the egg?’. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 25:137-158. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sine Berntsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Kettegaard Alle 30, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Viveca Söderström-Anttila
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 2, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ulla-Britt Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital East, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hannele Laivuori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, Tampere, Finland
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, Tampere, Finland
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Tukhomankatu 8, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Loft
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nan B Oldereid
- Livio IVF-klinikken Oslo, Sørkedalsveien 10A, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liv Bente Romundstad
- Spiren Fertility Clinic, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christina Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Reproductive Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anja Pinborg
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Wang T, Chen L, Yang T, Wang L, Zhao L, Zhang S, Ye Z, Chen L, Zheng Z, Qin J. Cancer risk among children conceived by fertility treatment. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:3001-3013. [PMID: 30548591 PMCID: PMC6590158 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Prior studies on the association between fertility treatment and childhood cancer risk have generated inconsistent results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observation studies to summarize the evidence regarding the relation of fertility treatment with childhood cancer risk. A systematic literature search of several databases was conducted through April 2018 to identify relevant studies. The outcomes of interest included overall cancer, haematological malignancies, neural tumours, other solid tumours, and eight specific cancers. The overall risk estimates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Sixteen cohort and thirteen case-control studies were included. Results showed that children conceived by fertility treatment had significantly higher risk for developing overall cancer (relative risk [RR]: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.32), haematological malignancies (RR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.60) and other solid tumours (RR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.16). For specific cancers, fertility treatment was associated with a significantly increased risk of leukaemia (RR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.57) and hepatic tumours (RR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.32, 3.85). Sensitivity analysis validated evidence of the robustness of the findings. The results may demonstrate a possible association between fertility treatment and an increased risk of cancer among the offspring. However, the findings cannot say whether this increased risk is due to the subfertility itself or to the fertility treatment. Further research is needed to address the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Lizhang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Tubao Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Lesan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Senmao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Ziwei Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Letao Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Zan Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Jiabi Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Hunan, China
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18
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Draper GJ, Bithell JF, Bunch KJ, Kendall GM, Murphy MFG, Stiller CA. Childhood cancer research in Oxford II: The Childhood Cancer Research Group. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:763-770. [PMID: 30131553 PMCID: PMC6173767 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We summarise the work of the Childhood Cancer Research Group, particularly in relation to the UK National Registry of Childhood Tumours (NRCT). METHODS The Group was responsible for setting up and maintaining the NRCT. This registry was based on notifications from regional cancer registries, specialist children's tumour registries, paediatric oncologists and clinical trials organisers. For a large sample of cases, data on controls matched by date and place of birth were also collected. RESULTS Significant achievements of the Group include: studies of aetiology and of genetic epidemiology; proposals for, and participation in, international comparative studies of these diseases and on a classification system specifically for childhood cancer; the initial development of, and major contributions to, follow-up studies of the health of long-term survivors; the enhancement of cancer registration records by the addition of clinical data and of birth records. The Group made substantial contributions to the UK government's Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment. CONCLUSION An important part of the ethos of the Group was to work in collaboration with many other organisations and individuals, both nationally and internationally: many of the Group's achievements described here were the result of such collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald J Draper
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LB, UK.
| | - John F Bithell
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LB, UK
| | - Kathryn J Bunch
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Michael F G Murphy
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Charles A Stiller
- National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, Public Health England, Chancellor Court, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2GX, UK
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19
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Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and childhood cancer: is the risk real? J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1773-1775. [PMID: 30043335 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1274-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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