Anogenital distance in newborn infants conceived by assisted reproduction and natural conception

Abstract

Research question: Does anogenital distance (AGD) differ in newborn infants conceived through assisted reproduction technology (ART) compared with those conceived naturally? Design: This case-control study looked at anthropometric and anogenital measurements in 247 male and 200 female newborns born after ART (n = 121) or natural conception (n = 326), within 24 h of birth. Anogenital measurements included distance from the centre of the anus to the anterior clitoris (AGDAC) and to the posterior fourchette (AGDAF) in female infants, and from the centre of the anus to the posterior base of the scrotum (AGDAS) and to the anterior base of the penis (AGDAP) in male infants.

Results: ART mothers were older, more likely to be nulliparous and delivered by Caesarean section at an earlier gestational week. AGDAS of male infants was approximately twice the AGDAF of female infants (176 +/- 5.0 versus 9.1 +/- 3.6 mm). AGDAF in female infants conceived by ART compared with those conceived naturally was not significantly different (8.8 +/- 3.6 versus 9.3 +/- 3.6 mm; P = 0.404). AGDAC were also comparable for both groups (27.4 +/- 6.3 versus 27.7 +/- 71 mm; P = 0.770). In male infants, no significant difference was seen between ART and natural conception groups in terms of AGDAS (174 +/- 4.6 versus 177 +/- 5.2 mm, P = 0.742) and AGDAP (37.5 +/- 6.6 versus 38.0 +/- 6.7 mm, P = 0.589). When adjusted for gestational age, weight, length and head circumference, mode of conception was not associated with differences in any of the anogenital measurements. Conclusions: AGD measurements in infants conceived by ART are no different from those of infants conceived naturally.