P-773 No impact of cleavage-stage or blastocyst-stage embryo biopsy on growth and health in children up to 2 years of age
Authors: Belva F , Kondowe F , De Vos A , Keymolen K , Buysse A , Hes F , Verpoest W , De Rycke M 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Does embryo biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) followed by fresh or vitrified-warmed embryo transfer affect children’s health up to 2 years of age?

Summary answer

Cleavage- or blastocyst-stage embryo biopsy followed by fresh or vitrified-warmed-embryo transfer had neither impact on anthropometry at birth, infancy or childhood nor on health outcomes.

What is known already

Literature data regarding neonatal outcomes after embryo biopsy for PGT show mixed results due to small sample sizes and/or the heterogeneity in terms of embryo biopsy (cleavage- or blastocyst-stage) and type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen-thawed). Even fewer data exist on the impact of embryo biopsy on children’s health beyond infancy, including growth.

Study design, size, duration

This single-center cohort-study compared outcomes in singletons conceived after cleavage- or blastocyst-stage embryo biopsy either in a fresh or vitrified-warmed transfer cycle with results after non-biopsied embryo transfer between 2014 and 2018. Pregnancies after IVM, oocyte vitrification or oocyte/embryo donation were excluded. Eligible singletons living in Belgium were invited for examination at 3-6 months and 2 years. Anthropometric measurements at birth, infancy and childhood and health outcomes including surgeries, medication use and hospitalisations are reported.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Birth characteristics were available for 630 and 222 children after cleavage-stage and blastocyst-stage embryo biopsy and for 1532 children after transfer of a non-biopsied embryo. Follow-up data were available for 426, 131 and 662 children, respectively.

The impact on children’s health following embryo biopsy in vitrification and fresh cycles was the primary outcome. Other outcomes were the impact of timing of biopsy and of vitrification. Subgroup analysis according to infertility background was additionally performed.

Main results and the role of chance

Regarding the impact of embryo biopsy, either at the cleavage or blastocyst stage, no differences in anthropometrics were found at birth, infancy or childhood in vitrified-warmed transfer cycles compared to outcomes in non-biopsied vitrified-warmed transfer cycles, even after adjustment for neonatal, treatment and maternal characteristics. Likewise, no impact of embryo biopsy (cleavage stage) was found in fresh transfer cycles.

The timing (day 3 or day 5/6) of embryo biopsy did not affect anthropometrics at birth, infancy or childhood. However, children born after cleavage-stage embryo biopsy followed by a vitrified-warmed transfer cycle had larger birth sizes than children born after cleavage-stage biopsy followed by a fresh transfer.

Weight and height gain from birth to infancy and from infancy to early childhood were comparable in all biopsied and non-biopsied groups.

Reassuringly, comparable rates of major congenital malformations, (severe) developmental problems, hospital admissions, surgical interventions and of chronic medication use up to the age of 2 years were observed in biopsied and non-biopsied groups.

Subgroup analysis in children born to parents with an infertility diagnosis showed that birth parameters were not different in children born after embryo biopsy.

Limitations, reasons for caution

As the majority of the PGT cycles in our center are performed for a genetic indication only, the number of children born after embryo biopsy in infertile parents is rather limited and the results should therefore be interpreted cautiously.

Wider implications of the findings

Our findings add reassurance that embryo biopsy does not adversely affect the health of offspring up to 2 years of age. This is of particular importance given the widespread shift to blastocyst-stage embryo biopsy in PGT.

Trial registration number

Not applicable