BACKGROUND: Mixed-handedness, which may reflect atypical brain laterality, has been linked to a number of medical conditions as well as prenatal stress. AIMS: The aim of the study was to examine whether infertility or infertility treatment was associated with an increased risk of mixed-handedness in children. STUDY DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: We used data from three population-based birth cohorts in Denmark: the Aalborg-Odense Birth Cohort (1984-1987), the Aarhus Birth Cohort (1990-1992) and the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996-2002) (N=7728, 5720 and 29486, respectively). Data on time to pregnancy and infertility treatment were collected during pregnancy. Handedness was reported in a follow-up questionnaire when the children were at least 7years old. Children were categorized as mixed-handed if their mothers reported that they used both hands equally. RESULTS: Children born after infertility treatment, particularly intrauterine insemination, had a higher risk of being mixed-handed compared to children of fertile couples with a time to pregnancy </=12months (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.82). Children of couples with unplanned pregnancies, particularly after an oral contraceptives failure, were also more likely to be mixed-handed. There was no association between a long waiting time to pregnancy and mixed-handedness in children. CONCLUSIONS: Children born after infertility treatment, particularly intrauterine insemination, and children exposed to oral contraceptives during early gestation may have a higher risk of being mixed-handed.
BACKGROUND: Mixed-handedness, which may reflect atypical brain laterality, has been linked to a number of medical conditions as well as prenatal stress. AIMS: The aim of the study was to examine whether infertility or infertility treatment was associated with an increased risk of mixed-handedness in children. STUDY DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: We used data from three population-based birth cohorts in Denmark: the Aalborg-Odense Birth Cohort (1984-1987), the Aarhus Birth Cohort (1990-1992) and the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996-2002) (N=7728, 5720 and 29486, respectively). Data on time to pregnancy and infertility treatment were collected during pregnancy. Handedness was reported in a follow-up questionnaire when the children were at least 7years old. Children were categorized as mixed-handed if their mothers reported that they used both hands equally. RESULTS:Children born after infertility treatment, particularly intrauterine insemination, had a higher risk of being mixed-handed compared to children of fertile couples with a time to pregnancy </=12months (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.82). Children of couples with unplanned pregnancies, particularly after an oral contraceptives failure, were also more likely to be mixed-handed. There was no association between a long waiting time to pregnancy and mixed-handedness in children. CONCLUSIONS:Children born after infertility treatment, particularly intrauterine insemination, and children exposed to oral contraceptives during early gestation may have a higher risk of being mixed-handed.
Authors: J Olsen; M Melbye; S F Olsen; T I Sørensen; P Aaby; A M Andersen; D Taxbøl; K D Hansen; M Juhl; T B Schow; H T Sørensen; J Andresen; E L Mortensen; A W Olesen; C Søndergaard Journal: Scand J Public Health Date: 2001-12 Impact factor: 3.021
Authors: Greta A Mathews; Briony A Fane; Vickie L Pasterski; Gerard S Conway; Charles Brook; Melissa Hines Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: L Schmidt; B E Holstein; J Boivin; T Tjørnhøj-Thomsen; J Blaabjerg; F Hald; P E Rasmussen; A Nyboe Andersen Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 6.918