Cancer Risk in Children and Young Adults (Offspring) Born after Medically Assisted Reproduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Manuela Chiavarini, Andrea Ostorero, Giulia Naldini and Roberto Fabiani
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Manuela Chiavarini: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Public Health, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Andrea Ostorero: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Public Health, School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Giulia Naldini: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Public Health, School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Roberto Fabiani: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy

J, 2019, vol. 2, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Many studies have investigated the relationship between medically assisted reproduction (MAR) and health outcomes, particularly cancer, in the offspring. This meta-analysis investigated the association between MAR and childhood cancer. Data sources were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up until June 2018. From the selected studies, we extracted the cancer risk estimates of the exposure of interest (MAR, assisted reproductive technology—ART, and in fitro fertilization—IVF). We conducted the meta-analysis using a random effects model. The outcomes of interest were childhood cancers, classified according to the international classification of childhood cancer (ICCC-3). In our meta-analysis (18 cohort and 15 case-control studies) the overall cancer risk was significantly increased in children conceived by MAR, ART, or IVF. MAR and ART significantly increased the risk for hematological tumors, hepatic tumors, and sarcomas (odds ratio (OR) 1.54; 95% CI 1.18–2.02 and OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.34–2.74, respectively). MAR increased acute myeloid leukemia risk (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02–1.95) and ART increased neural cancer risk (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.01–1.46). Our results suggest an increased risk of cancer in children conceived by MAR. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of fertility treatments, parental subfertility status, and their association on health outcomes in the offspring.

Keywords: cancer; child; assisted reproductive techniques; in vitro fertilization; meta-analyses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I10 I12 I13 I14 I18 I19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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