Publication
Long-term cardiometabolic health in people born after assisted reproductive technology: a multi-cohort analysis
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date:
09-07-2010
DOI:
10.1093/EURHEARTJ/EHAC726
Abstract: To examine associations of assisted reproductive technology (ART) conception (vs. natural conception: NC) with offspring cardiometabolic health outcomes and whether these differ with age. Differences in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), lipids, and hyperglycaemic/insulin resistance markers were examined using multiple linear regression models in 14 population-based birth cohorts in Europe, Australia, and Singapore, and results were combined using meta-analysis. Change in cardiometabolic outcomes from 2 to 26 years was examined using trajectory modelling of four cohorts with repeated measures. 35 938 (654 ART) offspring were included in the meta-analysis. Mean age ranged from 13 months to 27.4 years but was & years in 11/14 cohorts. Meta-analysis found no statistical difference (ART minus NC) in SBP (−0.53 mmHg 95% CI:−1.59 to 0.53), DBP (−0.24 mmHg −0.83 to 0.35), or HR (0.02 beat/min −0.91 to 0.94). Total cholesterol (2.59% 0.10–5.07), HDL cholesterol (4.16% 2.52–5.81), LDL cholesterol (4.95% 0.47–9.43) were statistically significantly higher in ART-conceived vs. NC offspring. No statistical difference was seen for triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, and glycated haemoglobin. Long-term follow-up of 17 244 (244 ART) births identified statistically significant associations between ART and lower predicted SBP/DBP in childhood, and subtle trajectories to higher SBP and TG in young adulthood however, most differences were not statistically significant. These findings of small and statistically non-significant differences in offspring cardiometabolic outcomes should reassure people receiving ART. Longer-term follow-up is warranted to investigate changes over adulthood in the risks of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and preclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease.