Medical outcome of 8-year-old singleton ICSI children (born >or=32 weeks' gestation) and a spontaneously conceived comparison group

Abstract

Background: There is little information about the long-term outcome of children born after ICSI. In this study, the eldest cohort of ICSI children worldwide, reaching the age of 8 years, was investigated at the prepubertal stage to monitor subsequent puberty and future fertility. To investigate possible health problems, a thorough medical and neurological examination was performed.

Methods: Medical outcome of 8-year-old singletons (n=150) born through ICSI (>or=32 weeks) was compared with that of 147 singletons of the same age born after spontaneous conception (SC). Information about their general health was obtained from the parents by means of a questionnaire.

Results: Fifteen of 150 ICSI children experienced a major congenital malformation compared with 5/147 SC children (P < 0.05). Pubertal staging was similar in both groups. Neurological examination did not show important differences between ICSI and SC children. ICSI children did not require more remedial therapy or surgery or hospitalization than SC children.

Conclusion: Physical examination including a thorough neurological examination did not reveal important differences between the two groups. Major congenital malformations were significantly more frequent in the ICSI group. However, most of them were corrected by minor surgery. Further monitoring of these children at an older age is recommended.