Absence of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation despite early metabolic syndrome manifestations in children born after in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the metabolic profile, traditional adipokines, and indices of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation in children born as a result of IVF compared with spontaneously conceived controls.

Design: Cross-sectional, case-control study.

Setting: IVF Section of the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the First Department of Pediatrics of the University of Athens.

Patient(s): One hundred six children conceived after classic IVF and 68 age-matched spontaneously conceived controls, aged 4-14 years.

Intervention(s): Children underwent physical examination and morning fasting samples were collected.

Main outcome measure(s): Lipid profile, circulating fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, high-sensitivity interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined and the fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio was calculated.

Result(s): Children born as a result of classic IVF had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) and triglycerides than controls. These BP differences remained significant even after correction for birth size and multiple births. No significant differences in biochemical indices of insulin resistance, circulating adipokines, and inflammatory markers were detected before or after these same corrections.

Conclusion(s): Despite an increase of BP, children born as a result of IVF have no biochemical evidence of insulin resistance, including fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio and circulating adipokines, or low-grade chronic inflammation. However, the long-term impact of periconceptual manipulations should be closely monitored.