A cross-sectional evaluation of the first cohort of young adults conceived by in vitro fertilization in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the quality of life and susceptibility for chronic disease development of the oldest generation of young adults conceived by IVF in the U.S.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Single tertiary clinic.

PATIENT(S): Young adults conceived by standard IVF between 1981 and 1990.

INTERVENTION(S): Self-administered questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Indicators of physical, psychologic, and behavioral health.

RESULT(S): A total of 173 (31%) of 560 eligible young adults completed the questionnaire. Mean age was 21.2 years (range 18-26 years) and male-to-female ratio was 3:4. A limited number were conceived through gamete donation but none through oocyte/embryo micromanipulation. Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 35% and 10%, respectively. More than 65% were ever diagnosed with a chronic condition; most diagnoses were psychiatric, ocular, respiratory, and cardiometabolic in nature. Almost 40% of respondents were lifetime smokers, 62% reported binge drinking in the previous year, and >90% were physically active in the preceding month. Survey participants were mostly similar to a subsample of the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on selected health indicators.

CONCLUSION(S): Young adults conceived by IVF appear to be healthy and well adjusted, although the preponderance of psychologic health problems requires further investigation.