Fertility concerns and outcomes in females with anorectal malformations

Abstract

Purpose: To assess fertility concerns and to describe pregnancy outcomes in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM).

Methods: This is an IRB approved, cross-sectional study of patients in the Adult Colorectal Research Registry who completed reproductive health surveys between November 2021 and August 2022. Patients assigned female at birth with age 18 or older and ARM were included.

Results: Sixty-four patients with ARM, age 18 or older, were included. Fertility concerns were reported in 26 (40.6%) patients, 11 of which had seen a fertility specialist, including four who had not yet tried to conceive. Fertility concerns were highest amongst cloaca patients who had not yet tried to conceive (37.5%). 26 (40.6%) patients had tried to conceive, of which 16 (25%) reported fertility problems, most frequently uterine abnormalities and damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. 22 (34.4%) participants were able to conceive and 18 (28.1%) had at least one live birth. Patients with ARM who had concerns of fertility, had better FertiQoL when compared to published reference scores for patients experiencing fertility issues.

Conclusion: Providers should be aware of fertility concerns in patients with ARM. Proactive counseling with referrals to a fertility specialist should be considered in patients who desire future fertility.

Keywords: ARM; Cloaca; Fertility; Fertility concerns; Fertility quality of life.