Parental infertility and developmental coordination disorder in children

Jin Liang Zhu1, Carsten Obel, Olga Basso

  • 1The Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. zjl@soci.au.dk

Insights

Children conceived after a long time to pregnancy (TTP) showed a slightly higher risk of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Infertility treatment was not significantly linked to DCD risk in children.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Previous studies suggest a slight delay in motor milestones for children born after infertility treatment.
  • This study investigates the risk of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in children of infertile couples, with or without treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if children born to infertile couples, irrespective of treatment, have an increased risk of DCD.
  • To explore the association between time to pregnancy (TTP), infertility treatments, and DCD risk.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996-2002) on 23,167 singletons.
  • Collected data on parental infertility, TTP, and infertility treatments during early pregnancy.
  • Assessed DCD risk in 7-year-old children using the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire completed by mothers.

Main Results:

  • Children conceived after a TTP >12 months had a modestly increased risk of DCD (OR 1.35, CI 1.03-1.77).
  • No significant association was found between infertility treatment and DCD risk (OR 1.19, CI 0.86-1.66).
  • Unplanned pregnancies and specific infertility treatments did not show an elevated DCD risk.

Conclusions:

  • Findings are generally reassuring regarding DCD risk in children of infertile couples.
  • A potential modest increase in DCD risk may be associated with low fecundity.
Abstract

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