Child health after preimplantation genetic testing

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Human Genetics
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is increasingly used for aneuploidy and monogenic diseases.
• Limited long-term follow-up data exists for children conceived via PGT beyond age two.
• This study addresses the health and developmental outcomes of school-aged children conceived after PGT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the health, well-being, and development of school-aged children (5-8 years) conceived following PGT.
• To compare outcomes in children conceived with PGT to those conceived with IVF alone.
• To assess potential long-term effects of PGT on child development and family functioning.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study comparing children conceived after IVF with PGT (exposed) and IVF without PGT (unexposed).
• Two IVF clinics in Melbourne, with children born between 2000-2008.
• Maternal questionnaires assessed child health, well-being, development, education, and family functioning.

Main Results:

• 155 participants in the PGT cohort and 303 in the IVF-only cohort.
• No significant differences in maternal/pregnancy characteristics, except higher C-section rates in PGT singletons.
• No significant differences in most health/psychological scales; PGT cohort showed more positive outcomes in some measures.

Conclusions:

• PGT does not appear to be associated with adverse outcomes in school-aged children.
• Findings suggest PGT is safe for child development and well-being.
• Limitations include self-reported data and a relatively small sample size.