Long-term Follow-up of Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Techniques in Sweden

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Individuals conceived with assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) could be at elevated risk of psychiatric disorders owing to potential adverse effects of the procedures themselves, or because such traits or their risk factors may be more common in couples with infertility.OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk of psychiatric disorders in adolescents and young adults conceived with ARTs and to evaluate the role of treatment-related parental characteristics.

Children born to subfertile couples, how are they doing? Evidence from research

“…A recent 2022 cohort study by Wang and colleagues93 saw no overall increased risk of developing poor mental health compared with the general population in adolescents conceived following ART. The authors did find an increased risk of obsessive compulsive disorder (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.20, 1.51), which following adjustment for parental characteristics was decreased and lost its significance (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.98, 1.24) 93. The risk was further obviated with a subgroup analysis of couples with known infertility (aHR 1.02, 95% CI 0.89, 1.17).…”

“…The risk was further obviated with a subgroup analysis of couples with known infertility (aHR 1.02, 95% CI 0.89, 1.17). These adolescents conceived following ART were also at no increased risk of suicidal behaviour or depression, however, did have a slightly higher risk of anxiety and antidepressant use 93. Most of these studies have adjusted for PTB86 90–92 or LBW 90 91…”

“…CP risk is increased by multiplicity and PTB,75 97 subsequently resulting in a higher proportion of LBW children, which may in turn explain increased CP rates in these children. Many of the studies here have adjusted their analysis for PTB90 93–96 or LBW 90 96…”