Cardiovascular and metabolic profiles of offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiovascular and metabolic features of offspring conceived by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI).

DESIGN: Literature review and meta-analysis.

SETTING: Not applicable.

PATIENT(S): Offspring from IVF-ICSI versus natural conception.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), cardiovascular function, body mass index (BMI), and lipid and glucose profiles.

RESULT(S): We included 19 studies that had recruited 2,112 IVF-ICSI and 4,096 naturally conceived offspring, ranging from childhood to early adulthood. The blood pressure levels of IVF-ICSI offspring were statistically significantly higher than those of naturally conceived offspring (weighted mean differences and confidence intervals: 1.88 mm Hg [95% CI, 0.27, 3.49] for SBP and 1.51 mm Hg [95% CI, 0.33, 2.70] for DBP). In addition, cardiac diastolic function was suboptimal and vessel thickness was higher among IVF-ICSI offspring. Compared with the metabolism of naturally conceived offspring, IVF-ICSI offspring displayed comparable BMI, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and higher fasting insulin levels.

CONCLUSION(S): Children conceived by IVF-ICSI manifested a minor yet statistically significant increase in blood pressure without the clustering of increased BMI or impaired lipid metabolism by early adulthood. Our findings indicate a risk of cardiovascular disease among IVF-ICSI offspring, which calls for longer-term follow-ups and further investigation.