Factors associated with searching for people related through donor conception among donor-conceived people, parents, and donors: a systematic review

ObjectiveTo review the body of literature to summarize existing knowledge about factors that shape gamete donor linking and discuss their implications for clinical care future research. Recent changes in policy, practice, technology have made it possible individuals connected through conception—donor-conceived (DC) people, parents, donors—to find contact one another.Evidence ReviewA bibliographic search English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch language peer-reviewed publications was performed according Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses guidelines using electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Web Science Core Collection. The inclusion criteria were as follows: original empirical research with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods; participants DC donors, and/or parents interested searching people (genetically) related them donation; a substantial part article focused on an interest contacting donor-related people. exclusion other than known donors surrogacy. Methodological quality assessed Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist qualitative studies Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist quantitative studies. Eligibility assessments, data extraction independently by 2 teams, disagreements resolved discussion.ResultsAn initial yielded 4,040 publications, which 119 articles full-text screened 47 included review. diverse design, setting, recruitment methods, collection, stakeholder groups. had each other; however, motives, desired information, expectations regarding seeking differed. Among studies, interests intertwined not necessarily conflict. limitations identified.ConclusionDonor occurred complex array several factors: psychosocial, sociodemographic, relational, environmental variables. Further is needed better understand relative influence these variables identify psychosocial needs different Preliminary findings showed stakeholders can ongoing contact. However, studies’ methodological shortcomings limited extent could be applied all Follow-up what happens after parties are linked. To another. A discussion. An identified. Donor