Comparing subjective indicators of health in adults aged 27-38 years, conceived with and without assisted reproductive technology

What are the health outcomes of individuals aged 27-38 years conceived with and without assisted reproductive technologies (ART)? An online survey, hosted in REDCap was used to collect information on self-reported physical, psychological, and reproductive health from an established cohort of people conceived with and without ART, now aged 27-38 years. Questions included lists of common conditions and required tick box responses, to determine prevalence. A validated scale was used to assess psychological wellbeing. There were 310 ART-conceived (234 IVF and 76 GIFT), and 153 non-ART conceived respondents. No marked differences between the ART and non-ART groups were observed in the physical or psychological health measures. Similar proportions in both groups had had children and reported using ART to conceive. More women in the ART- than in the non-ART group reported at least one reproductive health disorder. Male reproductive health disorders were rare in both groups. Subjective indicators of health were no different between ART and non-ART conceived individuals, except for a slight increase in adverse reproductive health disorder reported by ART-conceived females. This warrants closer, clinical scrutiny. Overall, a larger sample and objective measures in individuals beyond 30 years of age would provide the ultimate reassurance that ART is not associated with long-term health problems. This study is the first of its kind and may provide some reassurance of safety for people conceived with ART and those who contemplate using ART.