The association between fertility treatments and the incidence of paediatric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yaoyao; Gao, Rui; Chen, Hanxiao; Xu, Wenming; Yang, Yihong; Zeng, Xun; Sun, Xiaochi; Zhang, Sirui; Hu, Xiao; Qin, Lang
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer. Volume 138(2020)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Fertility treatment -- IVF -- ICSI -- Fertility drugs -- Frozen embryo transfer -- Paediatric cancer; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8049

Abstract

Abstract: Background: It is important to explore the association between different fertility treatments and the incidence of paediatric cancer, as this will provide crucial guidance for clinical decision-making. Previous studies have explored the relationship between fertility treatments and different types of cancer in offspring, but the results are controversial. Method: Two authors searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases independently to acquire qualified studies. Then, the same authors extracted data from these studies and analysed these data using RevMan 5.3. Main results: Eleven case–control studies and 16 cohort studies were included in this review and meta-analysis. The relative risk of association between in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and paediatric cancer incidence was 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–1.28) in cohort studies and 1.09 (95% CI: 0.74–1.58) in case–control studies. The relative risk of association between intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and paediatric cancer incidence was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.80–1.17) in cohort studies. The relative risk of association between fertility drugs and paediatric cancer incidence was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.68–1.69) in cohort studies and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.90–1.41) in case–control studies. The relative risk of association between frozen embryo transfer and paediatric cancer incidence was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.04–1.81) in natural pregnancy controls and 1.28 (95% CI: 0.96–1.69) in fresh embryo transfer controls. Conclusion: There is no evidence that IVF, ICSI and fertility drugs are associated with an increase in paediatric cancer incidence in offspring; however, frozen embryo transfer is associated with an increase in paediatric cancer incidence in the offspring, but this finding needs further research and attention. Highlights: Frozen embryo transfer may increase potential risk in paediatric cancer which needs further confirmation. Other infertility treatments except frozen embryo transfer are not related to paediatric cancer risk. Children conceived by frozen embryo transfer need a longer follow-up.