B.J. Van Voorhis

Achievement test performance in children conceived by IVF

BACKGROUND Long-term follow-up studies of children conceived by IVF are limited. We examine academic performance on standardized tests [Iowa Tests of Basic Skills/Educational Development (ITBS/ITED)] of children conceived by IVF. METHODS Parents of children 8-17 years of age at the onset of the study (March 2008) who were conceived by IVF at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and living in the state of Iowa were contacted by mail. Parents completed questionnaires on their childs health and education and parental education. ITBS/ITED scores from school grades 3-12 were obtained on IVF children and a group of anonymous children matched by grade, year, gender and school district. Scores were analyzed using linear mixed models. RESULTS Four hundred and ninety-seven couples were contacted. Two hundred and ninety-five couples (463 children) agreed to participate (59.4% of parents), with ITBS/ITED scores available on 423 children (91.4% of participants). IVF children scored higher than the national mean (P < 0.0001) across all grades and subtests and higher than their matched peers for grades 3-11. A trend toward lower test scores in multiple gestations was present (but not significant). Factors found to affect test scores included parental level of education, maternal age, divorce and childs BMI. Cryopreservation, length of embryo culture and method of insemination did not affect scores. CONCLUSIONS IVF children scored higher on standardized tests than their matched peers, suggesting that IVF does not have a negative effect on cognitive development. However, long-term follow-up of IVF children is still limited. Further research should be performed on the effect of multiple gestation on academic performance.

Ultrasound is the optimal choice for guidance in difficult hysteroscopy

To compare costs and complications associated with ultrasound‐guided hysteroscopy vs laparoscopy‐guided hysteroscopy vs hysteroscopy alone for the surgical repair of intrauterine septa and synechiae.

Use of oocytes from anonymous, matched, fertile donors for prevention of heritable genetic diseases.

Heritable genetic diseases can be prevented with the use of donor oocytes. We report our experience in using donor oocytes from anonymous, matched, fertile donors in four women with heritable genetic disorders. Our results show that use of donor oocytes is a practical, successful, and currently available technique for the prevention of genetic disorders.