1. Assisted Reproductive Technology and Anorectal Malformation: A Single-Center Experience
- Author
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Chiara Iacusso, Barbara Daniela Iacobelli, Francesco Morini, Giorgia Totonelli, Milena Viggiano, Leonardo Caforio, and Pietro Bagolan
- Subjects
anorectal malformation ,assisted reproductive techniques ,VACTERL ,congenital anomalies ,malformation anomalies ,Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - Abstract
Background: Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are becoming widespread, accounting for approximately 2% of all births in the western countries. Concerns exist on the potential association of ART with congenital anomalies. Few studies have addressed if a relationship exists between ART and the development of anorectal malformation (ARM). Our aim was to analyze the relationship between ARM and ART.Methods: Single-center retrospective case control study of all patients treated for ARM between 2010 and 2017. Patients with bronchiolitis treated since 2014 were used as controls. Variables analyzed include the following: prevalence of ART, gestational age, birth weight, and maternal age. Patients with ARM born after ART were also compared with those naturally conceived for disease complexity. Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used as appropriate.Results: Three hundred sixty-nine patients were analyzed (143 cases and 226 controls). Prevalence of ART was significantly higher in ARM patients than in controls [7.6 vs. 3.0%; odds ratio: 2.59 (95% CI, 0.98–0.68); p = 0.05]. Among ARM patients, incidence of VACTERL association (17%) is more frequent in ART babies.Conclusion: Patients with ARM were more likely to be conceived following ART as compared with controls without congenital anomalies. Disease complexity of patients with ARM born after ART seems greater that those born after nonassisted conception.
- Published
- 2021
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