Long-term outcomes for children conceived by assisted reproductive technology

Worldwide, more than 10 million children have been born after assisted reproduction technology (ART), comprising up to 7.9% of chil-dren born in Europe and up to 5.1 % of children born in the US in 2018. The short-term outcome for children born after ART is well-known from numerous publications, with higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in children born after fresh embryo transfer and higher rates of large for gestational age and high birth weight in children born after frozen embryo transfer compared with children born after spontaneous conception. Higher rates of birth defects in children born after ART have also been shown consistently over time. Studies on long-term health outcomes after ART are scarcer but suggest an increased risk of altered blood pressure and cardiovascular function in children born after ART. In this review, we summarize long-term health outcomes in children born after ART and discuss whether the increased health risks are associated with intrinsic maternal or paternal factors related to subfertility or ART treatments per se. Finally, we speculate where the future will bring us regarding ART treatment strategies and the safety of the mother and child. (Fertil Sterile 2023;120:449-56. & COPY;2023 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Automated summary

More than 10 million children worldwide, accounting for 7.9% of children born in Europe and 5.1% of children born in the US in 2018, have been born after ART. Short-term outcomes show higher rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in children born after fresh embryo transfer, while higher rates of large for gestational age and high birth weight are found in children born after frozen embryo transfer. Long-term health outcomes in children born after ART suggest an increased risk of altered blood pressure and cardiovascular function. This review summarizes these long-term health outcomes and explores the factors associated with the increased health risks. The future of ART treatment strategies and the safety of the mother and child are also discussed. (Fertil Sterile 2023;120:449-56. & COPY; 2023 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)