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Published on: January 29, 2018
Evaluation of Bone Mineral Density in Children Conceived via Assisted Reproductive Technology
Xinru Xia1, Lingling Chen1, Jing Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Insights
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) and paternal age impact children's bone mineral density (BMD) Z scores. While ART children's BMD is generally normal, specific ART methods and paternal factors influence outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Reproductive Medicine
- Bone Health
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasingly used globally.
- Understanding the long-term health outcomes of ART-conceived children is crucial.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) is a key indicator of skeletal health in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare bone mineral density (BMD) Z scores between children conceived via ART and those conceived naturally (NC).
- To identify factors influencing BMD in ART-conceived children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of ART-conceived children and NC controls aged 1-12 years.
- Analysis of maternal/paternal background, birth conditions, and growth indicators.
- Multifactor analysis to adjust for confounding variables and assess BMD Z score determinants.
Main Results:
- ART and NC groups differed in parental age, maternal BMI, alcohol use, paternal smoking, delivery method, and serum zinc, iron, and lead levels.
- Paternal childbearing age and ART conception independently affected offspring BMD Z scores.
- Specific ART methods (IVF, ICSI) and embryo transfer cycles positively impacted BMD Z scores; male infertility and PCOS were also associated with BMD Z score variations.
Conclusions:
- BMD levels in both ART and control groups were within the normal range.
- Paternal age at conception and the utilization of ART are significant independent factors influencing offspring BMD Z scores.
- Certain ART procedures and underlying infertility factors may positively affect BMD Z scores, warranting further investigation.
Objectives:
To investigate bone mineral density (BMD) differences between assisted reproductive technology (ART)-conceived children and naturally conceived (NC) children.
Study Design:
This retrospective cohort study included ART-conceived children and controls aged 1 to 12 years assessed with a follow-up protocol. Maternal and paternal background, birth condition, and growth and development indicators were analyzed.
Results:
The ART and NC groups exhibited differences in maternal and paternal childbearing age; maternal weight; maternal body mass index (BMI); maternal alcohol consumption; paternal smoking; delivery method; and serum zinc, iron, and lead levels. Multifactor analysis adjusted for relevant factors showed that paternal childbearing age and group significantly affected the BMD Z score. In the subgroup analysis, in vitro fertilization (IVF) (p=0.026) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (p=0.008) had a positive impact on the BMD Z score. Male infertility only (p=0.010) or male infertility combined with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (p=0.026) may affect the BMD Z score. In the embryo transfer cycle subgroup analysis, compared with natural conception, both stimulation cycle fresh embryo transfer (p=0.019) and natural cycle frozen embryo transfer (p=0.006) had a positive effect on the BMD Z score.
Conclusions:
The BMD levels of the ART and control groups were generally in the normal range. Paternal childbearing age and the use of ART independently affected the BMD Z score of the offspring.
