Sex Ratio In Children Research Articles

#299 : Sex Ratio in Children Born After Assisted Reproduction and After Spontaneous Conception in the Czech Republic

Background and Aims: Various authors described slight differences in the sex ratio in the children born after the use of various assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Our goal was to investigate this trend using population-wide datasets from the official medical registries of the Czech Republic. Method: We have used data from the official medical registries run by the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic, namely the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies and the National Registry of Assisted Reproduction. The registration process in the Czech Republic is population-wide and the reporting is compulsory by the national law. We analyzed the number of births of children depending on the method of conception, the presence of a congenital defect, the twinning rate, and maternal age. Study period: 2013–2020. Results: A total of 881,975 children were born in the study period, 853,131 were born after spontaneous conception, and 28,844 after ART. The frequency of males was 50,89% in the spontaneously conceived children and 50.3% in the ART-conceived children, but the difference is not statistically significant. Among the children born with some kind of congenital anomaly, the males were more frequent, but again the difference was not statistically significant. Analyzing the different subgroups according to the twinning rate also did not identify any statistically significant trend. Conclusion: Using the population-wide data we have confirmed changes in the sex ratio in children born after ART conception (especially analyzing different study subgroups according to the presence/absence of congenital anomaly and according to the twinning rate). None of the trends was classified as statistically significant. Supported by Ministry of Health, Czech Republic – conceptual development of research organization (Thomayer University Hospital - TUH, 00064190)

Association between occupational testicular radiation exposure and lower male sex ratio of offspring among orthopedic surgeons.

Exposure to occupational radiation can lower the male sex ratio. However, specific radiation exposure to the testes has not been evaluated. This study aimed to examine the association between testicular radiation exposure and lower male sex ratio in children. A comprehensive questionnaire survey was administered to 62 full-time male doctors with children aged < 10 years at 5 hospitals. Based on the possibility of testicular radiation exposure 1 year before the child's birth, participants were assigned to 3 groups as follows: RT (orthopedic surgery), RNT (cardiology/neurosurgery), and N (others). Intergroup differences in the proportion of female children were ascertained, and the female sex ratio (number of female/total number) of each group was compared against the standard value of 0.486. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with a generalized estimating equation was used to model the effects on the probability of female birth while controlling for the correlation among the same fathers. The study population included 62 fathers and 109 children, 49 were female: 19/27, 11/30, and 19/52 in the RT, RNT, and N group, respectively; the RT group had the highest proportion of females (p = 0.009). The p values for comparisons with the standard sex ratio (0.486) were 0.02, 0.19, and 0.08 for the RT, RNT, and N groups, respectively. Based on the N group, the adjusted odds ratios for the child to be female were 4.40 (95% confidence interval 1.60-2.48) and 1.03 (0.40-2.61) for the RT and RNT groups, respectively. Our results imply an association between testicular radiation exposure and low male sex ratio of offspring. Confirmatory evidence is needed from larger studies which measure the pre-conceptional doses accumulated in various temporal periods, separating out spermatogonial and spermatid effects.

MP44-14 SORTING OF SPERM WITH CHROMASELECT DOES NOT SKEW THE RATIO OF X TO Y CHROMOSOME BEARING SPERM

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Therapy I (MP44)1 Apr 2020MP44-14 SORTING OF SPERM WITH CHROMASELECT DOES NOT SKEW THE RATIO OF X TO Y CHROMOSOME BEARING SPERM Darius Paduch*, Anna Mielnik, and Russ Hayden Darius Paduch*Darius Paduch* More articles by this author , Anna MielnikAnna Mielnik More articles by this author , and Russ HaydenRuss Hayden More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000899.014AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: ChromaSelect is a highly sensitive and specific method of identification and isolation of intact and live human sperm from ejaculate, epididymal or testis specimens with a low concentration (up to 100 sperm /ml). As Y ch is much smaller than X, it is theoretically possible that Y or X bearing sperm will show different fluorescence intensity and thus could result in a skewed selection of one of the sexes in sorted sperm.The aim of our study was to evaluate the ratio of Chr X and Y bearing sperm in intact, live sperm and dead/apoptotic sperm fraction after ChromaSelect identification and sorting. METHODS: Ejaculated human sperm were resuspended to a concentration of 10x106/ml in MHM-C medium, stained using ChromaSelect protocol, and then sorted on SONY-FX500 fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Three groups of samples were prepared: CONTROL – unsorted but stained sperm, LIVE- after sorting intact sperm, and DEAD: after sorting apoptotic and dead sperm based on specific gates. Sperm from each group were placed on microscope slides and number of sperm bearing X, Y, and Chr 8 was counted in at least 500 sperm from each group using FISH with Vysis CEP X (DXZ1) Spectrum Green, CEP Y (DYZ3) Spectrum Orange, and Vysis CEP 8 (D8Z2) Spectrum Aqua DNA. Sperm specific decondensation protocol for FISH was developed by us. The automatic FISH protocol for peripheral WBCs was not adequate for the hybridization of DNA probes in sperm. Only sperm with one signal from Chr 8 were used in the analysis. Four channels epifluorescent microscope was used to acquire images that were then processed using the Bioimaging station. Z-stage deconvolution was used to assure a single signal from each probe was counted. DAPI was used for counterstaining. Experiments were performed in triplicates. JIM 14 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The rate of aneuploidy in any of the specimens was less than 0.5% and was negligible. Single signal for Chr 8 and either X or Y was observed in each counted sperm. The mean ratio of X:Y sperm for CONTROL was 0.99 (49.7% of X positive sperm), for LIVE was 0.99 (49.72 % of sperm had Chr X) and for DEAD was 1.03 (50.68% sperm had Chr X). The total number of sperm counted was 829 in CONTROL, 720 in LIVE, and 916 in DEAD groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of X or Y chromosomes bearing sperm between any of the groups. (Chi-square) CONCLUSIONS: Sorting of human sperm using the ChromaSelect method does not skew the ratio of X or Y carrying sperm hence it will not result in any change in the sex ratio in children born using sorted sperm. Source of Funding: NIH grant 1R03HD094046 – 01 to DAP, Irena and Howard Laks and Robert Dow Foundation © 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 203Issue Supplement 4April 2020Page: e661-e661 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Darius Paduch* More articles by this author Anna Mielnik More articles by this author Russ Hayden More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Age- and sex-related differences in the presentation of paediatric migraine: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction Although migraine is a common headache complaint in children and adolescents there remains a significant gap in understanding the unique aspects of the disease in these age groups and their evolution with development. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to identify migraine features that are influenced by age and sex. Methods The headache characteristics of 359 paediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of migraine from a tertiary paediatric headache clinic were assessed. Patients retrospectively reported headache characteristics during a structured intake interview and clinical exam. Headache characteristics, description and associated symptoms were compared between children (age ≤ 12 years) and adolescents (age > 12 years), and between male and female migraineurs. Results Several migraine features differed significantly with age and/or sex, including: (i) a marked change from a 1:1 sex ratio in children to a 2:1 predominance of girls in adolescents; (ii) a higher frequency of headache attacks per month in adolescents and female migraineurs; (iii) a higher proportion of adolescents endorsed a 'throbbing' pain quality; (iv) a higher proportion of children reporting nausea and vomiting; and (v) a higher proportion of adolescents, particularly female migraineurs, had a diagnosis of a co-morbid anxiety. Conclusion The presentation of migraine, both in terms of its headache characteristics and associated symptoms, appear to vary as a function of age and sex. Given that migraine symptoms have a neural basis, it is not surprising that during the key period of neurodevelopment from childhood to adolescence this may impact their presentation.

Intracranial Aneurysm in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review

Intracranial aneurysm in patients with sickle cell disease is rare, but with an increased incidence in the recent years. This type of intracranial aneurysm possesses distinctive characteristics, and it has been the subject of case reports and series. We systematically searched relevant publications through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to December 21, 2016. We extracted data about clinical features and outcomes and then conducted a descriptive analysis. We identified 46 related publications, comprising 111 patients and 218 aneurysms. The mean age was 27 years (range, 5-54 years), and the male:female ratio was 0.96 (52:54). A male predominance existed in children, whereas a female predominance in adults. Age distribution approximated normal distribution, with peak phase between 21 and 30 years. In the child cohort, 13 of 31 (41.9%) aneurysms ruptured, whereas 62 of 79 (78.5%) aneurysms rupturing in the adult cohort. Aneurysms tended to be multiple (45.0%), small (85.6%), and saccular type (90.8%) and they exhibited a preference for posterior circulation (31.7%). Conservation and clipping became the main treatment in children and adults, respectively, but children had more good outcomes (80%) than adults did (67.1%). Intracranial aneurysms related to sickle cell disease mainly affected patients in their 20s, with a contradictory sex ratio in children and adults. Aneurysms manifested predisposition for multiplicity and posterior circulation. There was no difference between children and adults regarding shape and location of aneurysms. However, children with lower aneurysm rupturing rates had better outcomes than their adult counterparts did.

Low sex ratio in children of professional basketball players in Spain

The aim of this study was to ascertain the variations in the reproductive sex ratio (number of men to number of women) among male professional basketball players in Spain. This retrospective, cross-sectional study is based on a survey conducted in the Spanish professional basketball leagues during the season 2009-2010. A total of 172 professional basketball players completed an anonymous survey. Forty-seven of the respondents had offspring, with a total of 61 children: 70% girls and 30% boys, with a sex ratio value of 0.42. Thirty-three basketball players were Caucasian (CAU), with 44 children, nine boys and 35 girls (sex ratio = 0.26). Fourteen were black, of African heritage (AFR), with 17 children, nine boys and eight girls, (sex ratio = 1.12). Differences (P < 0.01) were found in offspring sex ratio values for all basketball players (sex ratio = 0.42) and for CAU group (sex ratio = 0.26) when compared with the general Spanish population (sex ratio = 1.06). Moreover, a significant seasonal variation was observed in CAU offspring sex ratio during the first quarter compared with the rest of the year (0.66 versus 0.12) (P < 0.03). In conclusion, a significant increase in the sex ratio value in favour of female offspring was observed in the group of CAU professional basketball players.

Sex ratio at birth in India, its relation to birth order, sex of previous children and use of indigenous medicine.

ObjectiveSex-ratio at birth in families with previous girls is worse than those with a boy. Our aim was to prospectively study in a large maternal and child unit sex-ratio against previous birth sex and use of traditional medicines for sex selection.Main Outcome MeasuresSex-ratio among mothers in families with a previous girl and in those with a previous boy, prevalence of indigenous medicine use and sex-ratio in those using medicines for sex selection.ResultsOverall there were 806 girls to 1000 boys. The sex-ratio was 720∶1000 if there was one previous girl and 178∶1000 if there were two previous girls. In second children of families with a previous boy 1017 girls were born per 1000 boys. Sex-ratio in those with one previous girl, who were taking traditional medicines for sex selection, was 928∶1000.ConclusionEvidence from the second children clearly shows the sex-ratio is being manipulated by human interventions. More mothers with previous girls tend to use traditional medicines for sex selection, in their subsequent pregnancies. Those taking such medication do not seem to be helped according to expectations. They seem to rely on this method and so are less likely use more definitive methods like sex selective abortions. This is the first such prospective investigation of sex ratio in second children looked at against the sex of previous children. More studies are needed to confirm the findings.

A 5-year epidemiological study on the prevalence rate of idiopathic scoliosis in Tokyo: school screening of more than 250,000 children

BackgroundSchool screening for scoliosis is a powerful tool that can be used to identify children who may have scoliosis. There have been no reports on the recent prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in Japan since 1988. MethodsA 5-year epidemiologic study was performed to determined the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis, the curve magnitude, the distribution of this magnitude, and the sex ratio in school children. Between 2003 and 2007, a total of 255,875 children aged 11–14 years were screened. ResultsA total of 3,424 children were found to be positive as a result of Moiré topography. With radiographic examination, 2,225 (65.0%) children with a Cobb angle of 10° or more were detected. The overall prevalence rate in schoolchildren 11–14 years of age with Cobb angles of 10° or more was 0.87%. The prevalence rate in girls increased from 0.78% at the age of 11–12 years to 2.51% at the age of 13–14 years. For boys, the prevalence rates were 0.04% at the age of 11–12 years and 0.25% at the age of 13–14 years. The overall ratio of girls to boys with scoliosis was 11:1. The ratio of girls to boys was 17:1 at the age of 11–12 years and 10:1 at the age of 13–14 years. ConclusionsThe majority of the curves fell in the range of 10°–19°. There was a slight increase in the prevalence rates of children with a curve of high magnitude (≥20°) as compared to the prevalence rate in 1988. We suggest that school screening for scoliosis is effective for early detection; however, it is first necessary to review and optimize the target groups.

The sex ratio of offspring of women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Sir, We have with great interest read the comments made by Dr James concerning our paper ‘Fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency’ recently published in Human Reproduction (Hagenfeldt et al., 2008). We have also enjoyed reading some of his extensive work in the area concerning sex ratio in mammals. We appreciate that Dr James is confirming the data we presented in our paper on the sex of children born to women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). In addition to the data given in Table 1 in Dr James’ comments, another 22 girls and 11 boys were reported by Lo and Grumbach (2001). Hence, including our own data, the number so far reported in the literature (apart from cases that are reported twice) are 68 girls and 34 boys (sex ratio 0.33). Dr James proposes that the reason for this difference in sex ratio of children born to women with CAH could be depressed androgen levels in the women at conception. This is an interesting hypothesis and seems reasonable since most women with CAH need to have depressed androgen levels in order to ovulate regularly. Concerning the effect of gonadotrophin stimulation, only one of our patients needed this treatment; she delivered one girl after each of these treatments. As far as we know the sex ratio in women who underwent IVF is normal. In our material, only one woman needed IVF. We are looking forward to a future discussion concerning the possible explanation to the unequal sex ratio in children born to CAH women.

Activities of Artemether-Lumefantrine and Amodiaquine-Sulfalene-Pyrimethamine against Sexual-Stage Parasites in Falciparum Malaria in Children

The activities of artemether-lumefantrine and amodiaquine-sulfalene-pyrimethamine against sexual-stage parasites were evaluated in 42 of 181 Nigerian children with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria who had gametocytaemia before, during or after treatment with the two combination therapies. The children were randomized to the standard dose regimens. Clinical recovery from illness occurred in all children who carried gametocytes. Gametocytaemia was detected in 20 patients (11%) before treatment and in another 22 patients (12.2%) after treatment. Game- tocyte carriage rates were similar in both combination treatment groups, but the area under the curve of gametocytaemia plotted against time was 8-fold higher in the amodiaquine-sulfalene-pyrimethamine-treated than in the artemether-lumefantrine-treated children. The pretreatment gametocyte sex ratio was female biased in both treatment groups. During follow-up, there was a short-lived but significant increase in the gametocyte sex ratio in children treated with amodiaquine-sulfalene-pyrimethamine but not in those treated with artemether-lumefantrine. These results indicate that both combination therapies had moderate effects on gametocyte carriage, but artemether-lumefantrine may be more potent at reducing transmissibility in P. falciparum malaria by exerting greater effects on post-treatment gametocyte density and gametocyte sex ratio.

Missing Girls in India: Infanticide, Feticide and Made-to-Order Pregnancies? Insights from Hospital-Based Sex-Ratio-at-Birth over the Last Century

BackgroundThere are 44 million missing women in India. Gender bias; neglect of girls, infanticides and feticides are responsible. The sex ratio at birth can be used to examine the influence of antenatal sex selection on the sex ratio.Materials and MethodsRecords from 321,991 deliveries at one hospital over 11 decades were utilized. The middle year in each decade was taken as representative of the decade. Data from 33,524 deliveries were then analyzed. Data for each decade was combined with that of previous decades and compared to the data of subsequent decades to look for any change in the trend. Sex ratio in the second children against sex of the first child was studied separately.ResultsThe mean sex ratio for the 110 years examined was 910 girls to 1000 boys (95% CI; 891 to 930). The sex ratio dropped significantly from 935 (CI: 905 to 967) before 1979, to 892 (CI: 868 to 918) after 1980 (P = 0.04). The sex ratio in the second child was significantly lower if the first child was a girl [716 (CI: 672 to 762] (P<0.001). On the other hand, there was an excess of girls born to mothers whose first child was boy [1140 girls per 1000 boys (CI: 1072 to 1212 P<0.001)].ConclusionsThe sex ratio fell significantly after 1980 when ultra sound machines for antenatal sex determination became available. The sex ratio in second children if the first was a girl was even lower. Sex selective abortions after antenatal sex determination are thus implicated. However data on second children especially the excess of girls born to mothers who have a previous boy seen in the decade before the advent of antenatal ultra sound machines, suggests that other means of sex selection are also used.

Fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Low pregnancy rate has been reported in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and little information on pregnancy and children is known. In a Swedish study, 62 adult women with CAH, aged 18-63 years, and 62 age-matched controls were followed-up. Medical records, including those concerning pregnancies and deliveries, were examined and the 21-hydroxylase genotype of patients was noted. All women answered a questionnaire concerning sexual and reproductive health including health of the children. Pregnancy and delivery rates were significantly lower in women with CAH (P < 0.001, P < 0.0056, respectively), and the severity of the 21-hydroxylase-mutation correlated with the reduced number of children born. More women with salt-wasting CAH were single and had not attempted pregnancy. Pregnancies were normal except for a significantly increased incidence of gestational diabetes in CAH patients (P < 0.0024). The children had normal birthweight and no malformations were observed. A later follow-up of the children showed a normal intellectual and social development. The sex ratio of the offspring differed significantly, with 25% boys in the CAH group compared with 56% among controls (P < 0.016). CAH women had more gynaecological morbidity during menopause. Pregnancy and delivery rates are reduced in women with CAH mainly due to psychosocial reasons. The outcome of children did not differ from controls. The unexpected sex ratio in children born to mothers with CAH warrants further research.

Sex ratio of the offspring of Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in utero and lactationally in a three-generation study

Reports of a decreased male/female sex ratio in children born to males exposed to TCDD in Seveso, Italy, at a young age have sparked examinations of this endpoint in other populations exposed to TCDD or related compounds. Overall, the male/female sex ratio results reported in these studies, with slightly different age-exposed male populations, have shown mixed results. Experimental studies of the effects of in utero exposure to TCDD in laboratory animals have reported no effect on the f(1) sex ratio and mixed results for the sex ratio of the f(2) generation. In order to better understand the potential effects of TCDD on second generation sex ratio, we retrieved archived data from a comprehensive three-generation feeding study of TCDD in rats that was conducted and published in the 1970s, but which did not publish data on sex ratio of the offspring [Murray, F.J., Smith, F.A., Nitschke, K.D., Humiston, C.G., Kociba, R.J., Schwetz, B.A., 1979. Three-generation reproduction study of rats given 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the diet. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 50, 241-252]. A re-examination of the original Murray et al. data found no statistically significant treatment-related changes in postnatal day 1 sex ratio in any generation of treated animals, consistent with one other relatively large study reporting on this endpoint. We discuss mechanistic data underlying a potential effect of TCDD on this endpoint. We conclude that the inconsistency in findings on sex ratio of the offspring of male rats exposed to TCDD in utero is likely due to random variation associated with a relatively small sample size, although differences between studies in strain of rat, dose regimen, and day of ascertainment of sex ratio cannot be ruled out.

Male to female ratio among offspring of BRCA1 mutation carriers

To the editor: It has been reported that the RING domain of BRCA1 protein interacts with the Xist RNA in mammalian cells, thereby influencing X chromosome inactivation [1]. Lee et al. showed that in mice, defective X-chromosome inactivation changes the sex ratio of offspring [2]. In this context it has been suggested that BRCA1 insufficiency may reduce the ability of Xist RNA to accumulate along the X chromosome and lead to a skewed sex ratio in children [3]. In light of this findings, we were interested in the results of de la Hoya and colleagues, who reported an increased ratio of female to male offspring of BRCA1 mutation carriers, but not of BRCA2 mutation carriers [4]. It is well known that studies such as these may be influenced by possible ascertainment biases [5]; in particular if women with daughters are more likely to seek genetic testing than women with only boys or with no children. Recently, several authors observed only slight, statistically insignificant excesses of female offspring of BRCA1 or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting that the observed sex ratio skew against male births might be due to ascertainment bias [6–9]. Studies in which BRCA carriers are ascertained within a consecutive series of breast or ovarian cancer cases, and are unselected for family histories and for sex distribution of children, are ideally suited to study this question as they are free from ascertainment bias [10]. In the course of a national breast cancer survey, through cancer registry of pathology departments we identified 4596 consecutive women with breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 at one of 18 centers situated throughout Poland from 1996–2003. In each center over 70% of affected women offered blood for genetic testing. We were able to obtain a DNA sample for BRCA1 analysis on 3568 of these patients. Three founder mutations in BRCA1 gene (5382insC, C61G, and 4153delA) which cover about 90% of detectable BRCA1/2 mutations in Poland [11] were studied. Among these women 198 mutation carriers were identified (5.54%). Through pedigree review we identified 189 sons and 172 daughters of these 198 BRCA1 mutation carrier women. The male to female ratio was 1.10. According to the Polish Main Statistic Office the male to female ratio in general population at birth is 1.06 [12]. Thus the difference is insignificant (v = 0.08; p = 0.77). In conclussion, our data set, which was obtained on unselected group of female BRCA1 (5382insC, C61G, and 4153delA) mutation carriers, strongly indicate that there is no evidence of sex ratio distoration in offspring. This supports the statement that rather ascertainment bias than X-chromosome inactivation was a cause of observed before a skewed sex ratio between offspring of BRCA1 carriers.

Sex ratio in the children of Yusho patients

Summary In some cases of intoxication with dioxins and dioxin-related compounds such as Yu-cheng, Seveso, Russian and Austrian chloracne cohorts, there was a significant reduction in the male-to-female sex ratio in children born to men who had been exposed to dioxins and dioxin-related compounds before age 20 years or in their early 20s. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether parental exposure to dioxin-related compounds at a particular age affected the sex of subsequent offspring in Yusho. Maternal exposure had no significant effect on the sex ratio of the offspring. The sex ratio of children born to men exposed before age 20, men exposed after age 20, or to parents who were both exposed were not significantly different from the expected sex ratio of 0.514.

Maternal methylmercury exposure and brain function

In some cases of intoxication with dioxins and dioxin-related compounds such as Yu-cheng, Seveso, Russian and Austrian chloracne cohorts, there was a significant reduction in the male-to-female sex ratio in children born to men who had been exposed to dioxins and dioxin-related compounds before age 20 years or in their early 20s. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether parental exposure to dioxin-related compounds at a particular age affected the sex of subsequent offspring in Yusho. Maternal exposure had no significant effect on the sex ratio of the offspring. The sex ratio of children born to men exposed before age 20, men exposed after age 20, or to parents who were both exposed were not significantly different from the expected sex ratio of 0.514.