Informed consent in assisted reproductive technology: Implications for pediatric clinicians

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Parents conceiving via assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may seek pediatric care with concerns about child neurodevelopment.
• Pediatricians may lack familiarity with the ART process and the parental journey, complicating discussions.
• Reproductive endocrinologists provide prenatal risk counseling, but informed consent in ART is complex and evolving.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the complexities of the prenatal informed consent process for parents undergoing ART.
• To emphasize the importance of understanding parental experiences during ART for pediatricians.
• To improve pediatric care by highlighting ethical, emotional, medical, legal, and financial stressors faced by parents.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
• Analysis of the informed consent process in reproductive endocrinology.
• Discussion of parental stressors associated with ART.

Main Results:

• The prenatal informed consent process for ART is intricate and multifaceted.
• Parents experience significant emotional, medical, legal, and financial challenges.
• Pediatrician understanding of the ART journey and informed consent is crucial for optimal child care.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced pediatrician knowledge of ART-related informed consent improves patient-centered care.
• Addressing parental stressors during ART can lead to better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration between reproductive specialists and pediatricians is key for comprehensive family support.