Development of a Pediatric Fertility Preservation Program: A Report From the Pediatric Initiative Network of the Oncofertility Consortium

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Molly B. Moravek, University of Michigan; Leslie C. Appiah, Ohio State University; Antoinette Anazodo, Sydney Children's Hospital; Karen C. Burns, University of Cincinnati; Veronica Gomez-Lobo, Georgetown University; Holly R. Hoefgen, Washington University in St. Louis; Olivia Jaworek Frias, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Monica M. Laronda, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital; Jennifer Levine, Weill Cornell Medical College; Lillian Meacham, Emory University; Mary Ellen Pavone, Northwestern University; Gwendolyn P. Quinn, New York University; Erin E. Rowell, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital; Andrew C. Strine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Teresa K. Woodruff, Northwestern University; Leena Nahata, Ohio State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-05-01
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.10.297
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 563
• End Page: 573
• Grant/Funding Information: Center for Reproductive Health After Disease (P50HD076188) from the National Institutes of Health National Center for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility (NCTRI)
• Keywords: CRYOPRESERVED OVARIAN TISSUE; YOUNG-ADULT CANCER; DECISION-MAKING; OOCYTE CRYOPRESERVATION; Psychology; LONG-TERM SURVIVORS; Adolescent; CHILDHOOD-CANCER; Social Sciences; Psychology, Developmental; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Program development; Tissue preservation; SEMEN PARAMETERS; GUIDELINE HARMONIZATION GROUP; FEMALE SURVIVORS; KLINEFELTER SYNDROME; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Science & Technology; Pediatrics; Fertility preservation; Child
• Research Categories: Psychology, Clinical; Health Sciences, Oncology; Psychology, Developmental

Abstract

Infertility is known to decrease quality of life among adults. In some cases, infertility is caused by medical conditions and/or treatments prescribed in childhood, and using methods to protect or preserve fertility may expand future reproductive possibilities. Structured programs to offer counseling about infertility risk and fertility preservation options are essential in the care of pediatric patients facing fertility-threatening conditions or treatments, yet multiple barriers to program development exist. This report was developed from the institutional experiences of members of the Pediatric Initiative Network of the Oncofertility Consortium, with the intent of providing guidance for health care providers aiming to establish programs at institutions lacking pediatric fertility preservation services. The mechanics of building a fertility preservation program are discussed, including essential team members, target populations, fertility preservation options (both established and experimental), survivorship issues, research opportunities, and ethical considerations. Common barriers to program development and utilization, including low referral rates and financial concerns, are also discussed, and recommendations made for overcoming such barriers.