Follow-up of children born by ICSI

The debate concerning the health of children conceived by artificial reproduction technology (ART) continues. Among these techniques, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the subject of most attention. Indeed, several studies have concentrated on the evaluation of risks associated with ICSI. The publication of a few recent articles on the subject is providing an opportunity to reconsider the situation. Generally, women conceiving via ART are older, more often primipar and present increased rates of uterine pathologies compared to women conceiving naturally. Furthermore, ART pregnancies are sources of anxiety resulting in a significant increase rates of caesarean section. ART children present an increased risk of low birth rate often linked to multiple pregnancy, but this is also true for singleton pregnancy. Major studies have not revealed a significantly increased rate of malformations in ICSI children. However, sporadic observations of errors in genomic imprinting or of rare tumors in children conceived by ICSI point to a need for increased vigilance of ICSI practices. Finally, the mental development, the family and social life of ICSI children appears similar to children conceived naturally.