Higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in children born to parents previously diagnosed with infertility, study finds

Parents who were previously diagnosed with infertility should receive heightened perinatal and neonatal care, a new cohort study concludes. The researchers found that these parents are more likely to bear children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which may be linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.The researchers examined the records of 1.3 million children born in Ontario between 2006 and 2018. The children were followed for a median of eight years. Of these, 86.5% were born through unassisted contraception, 10.3% were born to parents previously deemed infertile who had no treatment, 1.5% were the result of ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination and 1.7% were born after in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The incidence of autism spectrum disorder in the children studied:1.9 per 1,000 person-years for children born through unassisted contraception2.5 per 1,000 person-years for children born to parents diagnosed with infertility and had no treatment (subfertile)2.7 per 1,000 person-years for children born through ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination2.7 per 1,000 person-years for children born through in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection"Additionally, our results also show that some obstetrical factors, like having twins or triplets, or giving birth preterm, mediate a large proportion of the association between parental infertility and ASD," lead author Dr. Maria Velez, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Queen’s University in Kingston, said in a piece published in Queen’s University’s Gazette.Read: Polycystic ovary syndrome and gut health: what you need to knowAdverse pregnancy outcomes such as caesarean delivery, multiple pregnancy, preterm birth and severe neonatal morbidity were associated with a high risk of having a child with ASD, especially after vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.The results support previous research, which connect a baseline infertility diagnosis with the risk of ASD in the child. The findings do differ from a 2019 cohort study from Massachusetts, which found no association between fertility treatment and ASD in singleton births. This Ontario study did find parents with subfertility or who received fertility treatment did have a higher risk of having children with ASD, even in singleton pregnancies. The authors concluded that efforts to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of infertility should be continued. This includes minimizing the chances of multiple pregnancies following fertility treatment. Also, more support for these patients during delivery is needed.The connection between parents’ diagnosis of infertility and a diagnosis of ASD in their child needs further study, the authors conclude.“For example, we need more granular details about the baseline infertility diagnosis, paternal factors, and whether the oocyte (egg) or sperm are from the parent or a donor, among other factors,” Dr. Velez said.The study was published in a recent issue of JAMA.Read: Men need to be aware of lifestyle factors that could affect fertility: researchers

Higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in children born to parents previously diagnosed with infertility, study finds

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