Research themes and projects at the Centre for Womens Health, Gender and Society
Project title
Health and development of young adults conceived with ART: a pilot and feasibility study
Major research theme
Other themes
Investigators
- A/Prof Jane Fisher, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
- Prof Doreen Rosenthal, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
- Prof Gordon Baker, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women?s Hospital
- Ms F Bruinsma, Mother and Child Health Research, LaTrobe University
- A/Prof J Halliday, Murdoch Children?s Research Initiative
- Ms K Oke, Melbourne IVF & The Royal Women?s Hospital Reproductive Services
- Dr John McBain, Melbourne IVF
- Dr Penny Foster, Melbourne IVF
- Dr Karin Hammarberg, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
Funding
- Melbourne IVF, 2005-2007, $17,250
Summary
This pilot study was the first stage of a large project to investigate the health and development of young adults conceived with ART. Ten mothers, two of their husbands and five young adults participated in interviews, and the health and development of 15 ART-conceived young adults were described. This study concluded that it is acceptable and feasible to contact women treated for infertility at least two decades ago and their families, to assess the health and development of ART-conceived young adults.
Based on the findings from the feasibility study, a large retrospective cohort study comparing the health and development of ART and spontaneously conceived young adults is currently being developed and a funding application is before the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Publications
- Fisher J, Hammarberg K, Baker G, McBain J., Assessing the health and development of ART-conceived young adults: A feasibility study, Reproductive Health, Under review