News | Infertility Linked to Autism Risk in Children, Study Identifies Key Factors
A study published in JAMA Network Open examined how infertility and its treatment affect the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, with a focus on the mediating role of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on population data from Ontario, it revealed a complex relationship between infertility, treatment, and childhood ASD risk.
Background on Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD is characterized by differences in brain development and may show signs by 18 months of age. It is closely associated with genetic and environmental factors. Recent research suggests that infertility, metabolic and inflammatory factors during pregnancy, and epigenetic changes in offspring may increase ASD risk.
Methods
This Ontario-based retrospective cohort study included more than 1.37 million infants born between April 2006 and March 2018. It compared natural conception, infertility without treatment, conception through intrauterine insemination or ovulation induction, and conception through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The main objective was to assess the effect of infertility and its treatment on childhood ASD risk.
Results
About 1.6% of children in the study were diagnosed with ASD. Children born to parents who received infertility treatment had a slightly higher rate, but the difference was not substantial. The study found that the main contributors to increased ASD risk were not the treatments themselves, but adverse pregnancy outcomes such as cesarean delivery, multiple pregnancy, preterm birth, and severe neonatal morbidity.
Among pregnancies conceived through ICSI or IVF, cesarean delivery, multiple pregnancy, and preterm birth had clear mediating effects. Multiple pregnancy accounted for a 78% mediation effect, while severe neonatal morbidity accounted for 88%.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that infertility itself, rather than infertility treatment, may be the main factor associated with higher ASD risk in offspring. To reduce multiple pregnancy, the study recommended continued efforts to limit multiples during infertility treatment and more individualized prenatal care for patients with infertility.
News | Infertility Linked to Autism Risk in Children, Study Identifies Key Factors
News | Infertility Linked to Autism Risk in Children, Study Identifies Key Factors
A study published in JAMA Network Open examined how infertility and its treatment affect the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, with a focus on the mediating role of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on population data from Ontario, it revealed a complex relationship between infertility, treatment, and childhood ASD risk.
Background on Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD is characterized by differences in brain development and may show signs by 18 months of age. It is closely associated with genetic and environmental factors. Recent research suggests that infertility, metabolic and inflammatory factors during pregnancy, and epigenetic changes in offspring may increase ASD risk.
Methods
This Ontario-based retrospective cohort study included more than 1.37 million infants born between April 2006 and March 2018. It compared natural conception, infertility without treatment, conception through intrauterine insemination or ovulation induction, and conception through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The main objective was to assess the effect of infertility and its treatment on childhood ASD risk.
Results
About 1.6% of children in the study were diagnosed with ASD. Children born to parents who received infertility treatment had a slightly higher rate, but the difference was not substantial. The study found that the main contributors to increased ASD risk were not the treatments themselves, but adverse pregnancy outcomes such as cesarean delivery, multiple pregnancy, preterm birth, and severe neonatal morbidity.
Among pregnancies conceived through ICSI or IVF, cesarean delivery, multiple pregnancy, and preterm birth had clear mediating effects. Multiple pregnancy accounted for a 78% mediation effect, while severe neonatal morbidity accounted for 88%.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that infertility itself, rather than infertility treatment, may be the main factor associated with higher ASD risk in offspring. To reduce multiple pregnancy, the study recommended continued efforts to limit multiples during infertility treatment and more individualized prenatal care for patients with infertility.
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Collected online