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Ovarian stimulation leads to shorter stature in childhood

Tim Savage1, John C Peek, Elizabeth M Robinson

  • 1Liggins Institute and National Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|July 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children conceived via ovarian stimulation alone (OS(A)) were shorter, especially boys, and had lower BMI compared to naturally conceived children. Fasting glucose was also lower in OS(A) children.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive endocrinology
  • Pediatric growth and development
  • Metabolic health

Background:

  • Ovarian stimulation alone (OS(A)) is a method of assisted reproduction.
  • The phenotypic and biochemical outcomes of children conceived via OS(A) are not fully understood.
  • Comparison with naturally conceived children of fertile and subfertile parents is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate phenotypic and biochemical differences in children conceived with OS(A) compared to naturally conceived children.
  • To assess anthropometric, endocrine, and metabolic parameters in pre-pubertal children.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited healthy pre-pubertal children (3-10 years) born at term after singleton pregnancies.
  • Allocated children into three groups: OS(A), naturally conceived (subfertile parents), and naturally conceived (fertile parents).
  • Recorded anthropometric (height, BMI SDS corrected for genetic potential) and metabolic (fasting glucose) parameters.

Main Results:

  • OS(A) children were significantly shorter than children of both subfertile and fertile parents, particularly boys.
  • OS(A) children exhibited a trend towards lower corrected BMI SDS compared to controls.
  • Fasting glucose levels were lower in OS(A) children compared to children of fertile parents.

Conclusions:

  • Conception following OS(A) is associated with reduced stature, notably in boys.
  • Lower BMI and fasting glucose levels were observed in OS(A) children.
  • Further research may be warranted to understand long-term implications.
Abstract

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