Approximately 4% of children in the Netherlands are born through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as IVF or ICSI. While these techniques are widely used, questions remain about potential long-term health effects. This study examined whether subfertility and different modes of conception are associated with pubertal development in children.
Study design and population
The study used data from the ABCD cohort to assess pubertal development through multiple indicators, including the Pubertal Development Score (PDS), age at peak height velocity, and age at menarche. Five modes of conception were compared, distinguishing between children of fertile and subfertile parents, as well as those conceived via ART.
Key findings
The findings showed no consistent differences in pubertal development between children conceived via ART and those conceived spontaneously by fertile parents. However, children of subfertile parents conceived without ART, tended to show a slightly earlier pubertal development compared to children of fertile parents. These differences were small and not always statistically significant.
These results suggest that subfertility itself, rather than ART, may play a role in shaping aspects of pubertal timing. Due to relatively small sample sizes, particularly for children conceived via ART, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Larger studies are needed to better understand whether subfertility or ART influences pubertal development and later health outcomes.