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Published on: August 7, 2017
Association between frozen embryo transfer and childhood allergy: a retrospective cohort study
Qin-Yu Luo1, Kaizhen Su2, Ze-Han Dong2
1Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Insights
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is linked to a higher risk of food allergies in children. This study found increased food allergy prevalence and sensitization in offspring born via FET compared to natural conception.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Allergology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technologies like frozen embryo transfer (FET) are increasingly common.
- Potential long-term health implications for children born via FET require thorough investigation.
- The link between FET and allergic diseases in offspring remains an area of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether frozen embryo transfer (FET) increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
- To compare the prevalence of allergic diseases and allergen sensitization between children born through FET and natural conception.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 653 singleton children (166 FET, 487 natural conception) was followed.
- Data on demographics, perinatal information, and allergic diseases were collected via medical records and questionnaires.
- Allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing was performed on a subset of children to assess sensitization.
Main Results:
- Children born via FET showed a significantly higher prevalence of food allergy (adjusted OR = 3.154) and food allergen sensitization (adjusted OR = 5.769).
- Overall allergen sensitization to at least one allergen was also higher in the FET group (adjusted OR = 3.127).
- No significant associations were found between FET and asthma, atopic dermatitis, or allergic rhinitis.
Conclusions:
- Children born through frozen embryo transfer (FET) exhibit an elevated risk of developing food allergies in early childhood.
- FET may influence the development of food allergies, but not other common allergic conditions like asthma or eczema.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying this association.
Research Question:
Does frozen embryo transfer (FET) increase the risk of allergic diseases in offspring?
Design:
This study followed up 653 singleton children: 166 born through FET and 487 born through natural conception. Demographic characteristics, perinatal information and allergic diseases of children and their parents were collected through clinical medical systems and questionnaires. Among these 653 children, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing was performed using peripheral blood samples collected from 207 children: 145 in the FET group and 62 in the natural conception group. The prevalence of allergic diseases and positive rates of allergen-specific IgE testing were compared between the two groups with adjustments for confounding factors.
Results:
The prevalence of food allergy was significantly higher in children born through FET compared with children born through natural conception (adjusted OR = 3.154, 95% CI 1.895-5.250; P < 0.001). In addition, positive rates of food allergen sensitization were higher in children in the FET group compared with children in the natural conception group (adjusted OR = 5.769, 95% CI 2.859-11.751, P < 0.001). Children in the FET group had a higher positive sensitization rate to at least one allergen compared with children in the natural conception group (adjusted OR = 3.127, 95% CI 1.640-5.961, P < 0.001). No association was observed between FET and other allergic diseases, including asthma (P = 0.136), atopic dermatitis (P = 0.130) and allergic rhinitis (P = 0.922). Allergen sensitization IgE testing indicated no differences between the two groups in terms of positive sensitization rates of other common allergens, including animal and insect allergens (P = 0.627), inhaled outdoor allergens (P = 0.915) and inhaled outdoor allergens (P = 0.544).
Conclusion:
This study suggests that children born through FET have increased risk of developing food allergy in early childhood.
