X-Message-Number: 9663
Date: Sat, 9 May 1998 01:49:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: cryopreserved human embryos

The Lancet 351: 1085-1090 April 11, 1998

"Postnatal Growth and Health in Children Born After Cryopreservation as
Embryos"

Summary.

Background.  there is uncertainty about the health of children born from
in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with cryopreserved embryos. We investigated
the postnatal growth and health (up to 18 months) of these children
compared with those born after standard IVF and with fresh embryos and
those from spontaneous pregnancies.

Methods.  255 children from cryopreserved embryos were matched by maternal
age, parity, single or twin pregnancy, and date of delivery with 255
children born after IVF with fresh embryos, and 252 children from
spontaneous pregnancies. The main endpoint was growth; secondary endpoints
were the prevalence of chronic illness, major malformations, cumulative
incidence of common diseases, and development during the first 18 months.
Growth was assessed by comparison with standard Swedish growth charts and
by standard deviation scores.

Findings.   Growth features were similar for both singletons and twins in
the three groups. There were 6 (2.4%) of 255, 9 (3.5%) of 255, and 8 (3.2%)
of 252 major malformations in the cryopreserved group, standard IVF, and
spontaneous groups, respectively (p=0.6 between the cryopreserved and
standard IVF group). The prevalence of chronic diseases did not differ
between the three groups, with 18.0%, 15.3%, and 16.7% of children with a
chronic illness in the cryopreserved group, standard IVF, and spontaneous
groups, respectively.

Interpretation.  The cryopreservation process does not adversely affect the
growth and health of children during infancy and early childhood. Minor
handicaps, behavoural disturbances, learning difficulties, and dysfunction
of attention and perception cannot be ruled out at this age.

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