Neonatal Outcomes and Long-Term Follow-Up of Children Born from Frozen Embryo, a Narrative Review of Latest Research Findings
Giuseppe Gullo,
Marco Scaglione,
Gaspare Cucinella,
Vito Chiantera,
Antonino Perino,
Maria Elisabetta Greco,
Antonio Simone Laganà,
Enrico Marinelli,
Giuseppe Basile,
Simona Zaami
Affiliations
Giuseppe Gullo
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Marco Scaglione
Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Child Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Gaspare Cucinella
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Vito Chiantera
Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, ARNAS “Civico-Di Cristina-Benfratelli”, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Antonino Perino
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Maria Elisabetta Greco
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Antonio Simone Laganà
Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, ARNAS “Civico-Di Cristina-Benfratelli”, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Enrico Marinelli
Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 04100 Rome, Italy
Giuseppe Basile
IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, 20161 Milan, Italy
Simona Zaami
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
In recent years, the growing use of ART (assisted reproductive techniques) has led to a progressive improvement of protocols; embryo freezing is certainly one of the most important innovations. This technique is selectively offered as a tailored approach to reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancies and, most importantly, to lower the risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome when used in conjunction with an ovulation-triggering GnRH antagonist. The increase in transfer cycles with frozen embryos made it possible to study the effects of the technique in children thus conceived. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in macrosomal and LGA (large for gestational age) newborns, in addition to a decrease in SGA (small for gestational age) and LBW (low birth weight) newborns. The authors aimed to outline a broad-ranging narrative review by summarizing and elaborating on the most important evidence regarding the neonatal outcome of children born from frozen embryos and provide information on the medium and long-term follow- up of these children. However, given the relatively recent large-scale implementation of such techniques, further studies are needed to provide more conclusive evidence on outcomes and implications.
