Infertility treatments during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring.

Authors :: Davidovitch M
Chodick G
Shalev V
Eisenberg VH
Dan U
Reichenberg A
Sandin S
Levine SZ
Source :: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry [Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry] 2018 Aug 30; Vol. 86, pp. 175-179. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Jun 01.
Publication Year :: 2018
Abstract: We aimed to examine the effects of infertility treatments on the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Data were from a representative national registry on 110,093 male live births in Israel (born: 1999-2008; and ASD: 975, 0.9%). Infertility treatments included In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and five hormone treatments. Relative risk (RR) was estimated with multivariable logistic models. Results showed that IVF treatment compared with spontaneous conception was not statistically significantly associated with the risk of ASD. Only progesterone hormone treatment was associated with a statistically significant (p < .05) increased risk of ASD (RR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.22, 1.86) compared to the group with no progesterone treatment. In conclusion, progesterone exposure during the critical period of fetal life elevated the risk of ASD, possibly reflecting epigenetic modification.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Subjects :: Adolescent
Child
Child, Preschool
Epigenesis, Genetic
Female
Fertility Agents adverse effects
Humans
Israel
Male
Pregnancy
Progesterone adverse effects
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Autism Spectrum Disorder epidemiology
Fertility Agents therapeutic use
Fertilization in Vitro adverse effects
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
Progesterone therapeutic use

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