Is IVF Safe for My Baby?

Frequently patients ask me about the risks associated with IVF and associated techniques including Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGS), assisted hatching.  A recent article was presented in our society journal, Fertility and Sterility, that reviewed the safety findings associated with these processes.  The studies compared children born using Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) with those conceived through spontaneous conception.  Here is what they found:

• Congenital anomalies (birth defects)- According to the WHO, congenital anomalies affect 1 out of 33 infants and result in over 3.2 million birth defect-related disabilities annually.  Examples of some of the most common and severe anomalies include heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome.  Current studies have demonstrated that there is no increase in congenital anomalies in children born after ART as compared with children conceived spontaneously.   

• Physical growth- Infants and children follow specific growth curves for height, weight and head circumference during the first years of life. Physicians become concerned when children fall off the growth curve.   Studies have demonstrated that infants conceived by ART are similar to babies conceived through ART with respect to physical growth.

• Cerebral palsy- Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking.  There is no evidence of increased frequency of cerebral palsy among infants born from ART as compared to those conceived spontaneously.

• Pubertal development- Puberty refers to the physical changes by which a child’s body matures and is able to reproduce.  On average girls begin puberty at ages 10-11 and complete the process by ages 15-17.  Boys begin puberty at 11-12 and complete the process by 16-17.  Studies comparing children born by ART to those conceived spontaneously are sparse, but demonstrate no delay in pubertal development.

• Soft neurological signs- May demonstrate a slight increase, but the significance of this is unclear.

• Cognitive and behavioral outcomes- Cognitive outcomes are often measured by IQ levels similar in adolescents and young adults when compared with spontaneous conception

• Autism spectrum disorder- No increase.

• Imprinting disorders- No increase.

• Cancer risk among children born after ART- No increase.

• Blood Pressure– Several studies have demonstrated that there is a slight increase in blood pressure in children born after ART.  This  clinical finding is risk for adult cardiovascular disease.  Therefore, this finding in children deserves close follow-up and further study.

Author

Dr. Danielle Lane Danielle E Lane, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialist