The Impact of Frozen Embryo Transfer on Children’s Metabolic Health
Children born via frozen embryo transfer have similar metabolic profiles to those born via fresh embryo transfer, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine. This finding challenges previous research that suggested a higher risk of metabolic disorders in children born through frozen embryo transfer.
Prior studies have produced mixed results on the long-term metabolic health impacts of assisted reproductive technology. While some studies indicated a higher risk of metabolic disorders in children born via frozen embryo transfer, others found no significant differences between children born through frozen or fresh embryo transfer.
In this new study, researchers compared the glucose and lipid profiles of more than 4,000 children aged between 2 and 5 years. Half of the children were born via fresh embryo transfer, while the other half were born through frozen embryo transfer.
Over an average follow-up period of 3.6 years, researchers assessed metabolic factors associated with heart disease and diabetes, such as fasting blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Surprisingly, they found no differences in these metabolic factors between children born via fresh or frozen embryo transfer.
Thanks to the large number of participants in the study, researchers were able to conduct subgroup analyses based on gender, age, embryo transfer state, and method of conception. Even after accounting for these factors, no differences in metabolic profiles were found between children born through fresh or frozen embryo transfer.
This study offers valuable information for women and couples considering different assisted reproduction techniques. While the findings suggest that frozen embryo transfer is not associated with adverse effects on metabolic profiles in early childhood, the researchers emphasize the need for further data on the long-term effects of assisted reproductive technology on metabolic health.
The authors conclude that frozen embryo transfer appears to be a safe option for couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments, providing important evidence to guide decision-making in this area.
