Fertility Treatment and Childhood Epilepsy

Abstract

Background Fertility treatment includes hormonal stimulation of the woman and in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos that may influence prenatal brain development. We aimed to investigate the association between fertility treatment and childhood epilepsy, including specific types of treatment and indications as well as subtypes of epilepsy. Methods In this nationwide birth cohort study, we included all pregnancies in Denmark resulting in live-born singletons, 1995–2003. Children conceived by fertility treatment and children developing epilepsy (until 2013) were identified from Danish national registers. Results A total of 565,116 pregnancies were included; 8,071 children (1.4%) developed epilepsy. Children conceived after ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination had a slightly higher risk of childhood epilepsy (hazard ratio (HR) 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 – 1.31). The association was more pronounced for the subtypes idiopathic generalized and focal epilepsy. Regarding the specific hormonal treatments, only clomiphene citrate was associated with an increased risk of childhood epilepsy, also in a sibling analysis (HR 2.07; 95% CI: 1.05 – 4.08). In vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection was not associated with an overall increased risk of childhood epilepsy but with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (HR 1.43; 95% CI: 0.99 – 2.05). No clear associations were seen regarding other treatment types or indications. Conclusions Children conceived by ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination with clomiphene citrate may be at slightly increased risk of childhood epilepsy. Furthermore, children conceived by in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be at slightly increased risk of idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Vitamin D3 among neonates born after in vitro fertilization compared with neonates from the general population

“…At the same time, however, children born after ART treatment may be at increased risk of some somatic disorders, eg, asthma and epilepsy. 39 , 40 …”

“…At the same time, however, children born after ART treatment may be at increased risk of some somatic disorders, eg, asthma and epilepsy. 39,40 This current study may be a first step to understanding any underlying mechanisms behind these associations. If children born following ART have higher levels of vitamin D than newborns representing the background population, this would potentially be a mechanism behind the associations described for higher rates of epilepsy but would clearly not be an explanation for any associations with asthma.…”

Epilepsy and Issues Related to Reproductive Health

“…When we consider people with other chronic neurologic conditions, the disorder presents mainly as a decrease in sexual drive and potency. Thirty percent to 66% of men with epilepsy and 14% to 50% of WWE are affected by a sexual disorder [ 62 ]. Males with epilepsy have sexual concerns such as lack of spontaneous nocturnal erections, erectile dysfunction, and anorgasmia [ 40 , 50 ].…”

“…When we consider people with other chronic neurologic conditions, the disorder presents mainly as a decrease in sexual drive and potency. Thirty percent to 66% of men with epilepsy and 14% to 50% of WWE are affected by a sexual disorder [62].…”