Editorial: Fertility preservation in the pediatric population (original) (raw)

Editorial on the Research Topic Fertility preservation in the pediatric population The Frontiers in Endocrinology Research Topic on fertility preservation in children invited authors from across the globe to participate in the dissemination of knowledge and awareness regarding the best fertility preservation principles in the pediatric population. Although long considered a problem only in adults and post pubertal individuals undergoing cancer therapy, assisted reproductive technologies have rapidly advanced to include ovarian and testicular tissue preservation. This now allows prepubertal patients and families who were previously excluded from fertility conversations, to be included in these profoundly important discussions, which may provide hope for future attempts at parenthood (1). Fertility preservation is now considered for any medical condition requiring gonadotoxic treatment with curative intent, as well as those causing premature gonadal decline. This means that oncofertility care is now being rapidly expanded to include children with nononcologic conditions affecting fertility such as genetic, rheumatologic, nephrologic disease, and hematologic conditions requiring bone marrow transplant, as well as the transgender population (1). However, many knowledge gaps exist in the pediatric population, which this Research Topic sought to address. Disparities in oncofertility care across the globe are well described, both in high and low resource settings (2, 3). Many centers lack best practice oncofertility guidelines for children facing fertility-threatening diagnoses and treatment plans, resulting in significant distress for survivors (4). Furthermore, different aspects of oncofertility care are in different stages of translation. Ovarian tissue preservation has transitioned into standard practice, but requires ongoing monitoring in the young, while testicular tissue preservation is still experimental in humans (5, 6). In this Research Topic, authors were invited to present their research on optimal methods, timing, and outcomes on fertility preservation in children and adolescents. Data on new populations eligible for fertility preservation is highlighted in this Research Topic. Barrett et al. describe successful oocyte cryopreservation in 19 out of 20 transmen aged 12-20 years (median age 17 years).This is an important study since much of the previously published data is derived from the adult population. Two participants had been on testosterone, which was discontinued during oocyte collection. Around two thirds of patients cryopreserved at least 10 mature oocytes with many patients additionally freezing Frontiers in Endocrinology frontiersin.org 01