Perinatal Outcome, Health, Growth, and Medical Care Utilization of 5- to 8-year-old Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Singletons

Objective: To evaluate short- and long-term health in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) singletons.

Design: Follow-up study.

Setting: University medical center, assessments between March 2004 and May 2005.

Patient(s): Singletons born between June 1996 and December 1999 after ICSI in the Leiden University Medical Center laboratory were compared with matched singletons born after IVF and natural conception.

Intervention(s): Mode of conception.

Main Outcome Measure(s): An examiner blinded to the conception mode of the child assessed congenital malformations and growth. Information on pregnancy, perinatal period, birth defects, general health, and medical consumption was obtained through questionnaires.

Result(s): Outcomes of children conceived by ICSI and IVF (n = 81/81, preterm infants excluded) were comparable or even more positive for ICSI. Perinatal outcomes were poorer after ICSI than natural conception: prematurity: P=.014; low birth weight: odds ratio = 7.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.9; 62.5]; mean birth weight: Delta = 186 g, 95% CI [21; 351]. The ICSI mothers had more pregnancy complications (n = 33 vs. 18) and in-hospital deliveries (prevalence ratio 1.36, 95% CI 1.17; 1.48). No further differences were found between ICSI and natural conception children on congenital malformations, health, growth, and medical consumption (n = 87/85, preterm infants included).

Conclusion(s): No adverse health outcomes were identified in ICSI singletons up to age 5-8 years compared to IVF and natural conception singletons, besides poorer perinatal outcomes after ICSI versus natural conception.