The Impact of ART on the Elevation of Offspring Blood Pressure: A Cohort Study

Objective : This study examined blood pressure disparities between assisted reproductive technology (ART)-conceived and naturally conceived (NC) offspring. It also explored the associated influencing factors and elucidated the role of ART in this process. Methods : A total of 479 pairs of children, comprising a matched group in terms of age and sex, were selected from a single reproductive center. The groups included NC children and ART children. Various indicators,such as glucose and lipid metabolism levels, birth conditions, parental health status, and infertility causes,were analyzed. The study also investigated the correlation between these indicators and children's blood pressure, as well as the role they play. Results : Multivariate analyses revealed that ART-conceived offspring had elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Δz-score=0.09, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (Δz-score=0.13, p<0.001) compared to NC counterparts. Especially, while the observed blood pressure (BP) differences were statistically high, all values fell within age- and sex-adjusted normative ranges for pediatric populations. The increase in offspring blood pressure was unrelated to parental factors such as age, BMI, or infertility conditions but was rather associated with the type of ART procedure—either fresh embryo transfer (Fresh-ET) or frozen embryo transfer (FET). After controlling confounding factors, offspring from Fresh-ET pregnancies presented a greater blood pressure than those from FET and naturally conceived pregnancies. Conclusion : Compared with NC children, childrenconceived through ART havehigher SBP and DBP, despite all blood pressure values being within the physiological range. This obvious and stable difference deserves our attention. Multivariable analyses revealed that ART procedures themselves—particularly fresh embryo transfer—may exert direct influences on offspring hemodynamics.