ICSI-2: Prospective, controlled study of children aged 5 to 6 years born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

The long-term effects of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the children born subsequently have been little studied. ICSI is primarily used to treat cases of severely impaired male fertility. In this study, children who were already recorded prenatally during the ongoing pregnancy in a prospective controlled cohort study will be followed up at the age of 5-6 years. This cohort study has already provided initial results regarding the health of the children at birth. It showed a 1.25-fold increased risk of malformations compared to a prospectively recorded group of spontaneously conceived children. Little is known about the long-term development of these children. A published study provides information on development up to the age of 2. The currently planned study will include results from more than 300 children after ICSI and the same number in a control group. Physical and psychological development will be assessed using standardized examinations and tests (e.g., Kaufmann ABC).