Imprinting Disorders and Epigenetic Alterations in Children Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Mechanisms, Clinical Outcomes, and Prenatal Diagnosis

TL;DR

This review examines how assisted reproductive technologies may affect imprinting disorders in children, focusing on epigenetic changes and prenatal diagnosis.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms and clinical outcomes of imprinting disorders in ART-conceived children.

Findings

ART-conceived children show a higher prevalence of Beckwith–Wiedemann and Silver–Russell syndromes.

Evidence suggests ART procedures may contribute to epigenetic dysregulation in imprinting control regions.

Data on Angelman and Prader–Willi syndromes remain inconsistent across studies.

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have revolutionized infertility treatment, leading to the birth of over 10 million children worldwide. Despite their success, increasing concerns have been expressed regarding the potential long-term outcomes of ART-conceived individuals, particularly in relation to imprinting disorders (IDs). IDs result from the abnormal expression of imprinted genes, which are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner and regulated by epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation). Disruption of these processes, through environmental, genetic, or procedural factors, can lead to disorders such as Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS), Angelman syndrome (AS), and Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). These syndromes are characterized by distinct clinical features, including growth abnormalities, neurodevelopmental delay, endocrine dysfunction, and cancer predisposition. ART procedures, especially ovarian hyperstimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo culture, coincide with critical periods of epigenetic reprogramming and may contribute to epimutations in imprinting control regions. In this review, we explored epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and prenatal diagnostic strategies related to these four IDs in the context of ART. The findings suggest a higher prevalence of BWS and SRS in ART-conceived children. The data regarding AS and PWS are more controversial, with conflicting results across populations and methodologies. Although a causal link between ART and IDs remains debated, evidence suggests the potential contribution of ART procedures to epigenetic dysregulation in susceptible individuals. Further large-scale, methodologically rigorous studies will be essential to clarify this association and inform safer ART practices.

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