Growth and health outcome of 102 2-year-old children conceived after preimplantation genetic diagnosis or screening.

OBJECTIVE

The major objective of this study was to determine whether the embryo biopsy procedure might cause growth restriction or affect health outcome of children.

STUDY

DESIGN

Auxological data and physical findings were compared at birth and age 2 for 102 children (70 singletons and 32 twins) born after PGD/PGS and 102 matched children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a prospective study.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences regarding weight, height and head circumference standard deviation scores (SDS) at birth and at age two years were observed. At two years of age the mean BMI SDS tended to be lower in PGD/PGS children (p=0.058). PGD/PGS babies had been more often breastfed (p=0.013), but mostly during a shorter time. The prevalence of major as well as minor congenital anomalies, hospital admissions and surgical interventions was similar.

CONCLUSION

Children born after embryo biopsy applied in PGD/PGS present similar prenatal and postnatal growth and health outcome in the first two years of life compared to ICSI children. Up till now, PGD and PGS appear not to be associated with a higher risk for health problems.