Development of children born from freeze-only versus fresh embryo transfer: follow-up of a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the longer-term development outcomes in children born after freeze-only versus fresh embryo transfer (ET) in women with an ovulatory cycle.
DESIGN
Long-term follow-up study (NCT04099784) of babies born alive after the first ET in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates after use of a freeze-only versus fresh ET strategy (NCT02471573).
SETTING
Private clinic.
PATIENT(S)
Of 391 couples randomized to each treatment group in the RCT, 132 (97 singleton/35 twins) and 123 (95 singleton/28 twins) in the freeze-only and fresh ET groups had live birth; 113 parents (86%) from the freeze-only group (147 babies) and 99 (80%) from the fresh ET group (120 babies) returned questionnaires for this follow-up study.
INTERVENTION(S)
Use of a freeze-only or fresh ET strategy after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with a follicle-stimulating hormone/gonadotropin-releasing antagonist protocol.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Developmental status at ≥2 years after birth, determined using the Developmental Red Flags and Ages & Stages Third Edition (ASQ-3) Questionnaires.
RESULT(S)
Mean age of children at the end of follow-up was 37 months. Height (95.0 ± 6.1 vs. 95.7 ± 5.6 cm) and weight (14.9 ± 2.6 vs. 14.8 ± 2.6 kg) were similar in the freeze-only and fresh ET groups (results were similar when singletons and twins were analyzed separately). Overall, ASQ-3 scores for problem solving were significantly better in the freeze-only versus…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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