Cryopreservation of embryos and oocytes: obstetric outcome and health in children

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the effects of cryopreservation on obstetric outcome and child development. Cryopreservation of embryos has no apparent negative impact on perinatal outcome and early infant development. The available data do not indicate an elevated congenital malformation rate. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and cryopreservation is comparable with conventional in-vitro fertilization and cryopreservation. It remains unclear if embryo freezing poses long-term risks to children so conceived. There are several potential advantages of oocyte freezing which, however, is still a research procedure.