IVF and Babies: Background
In Vitro Fertilization has been around for 30 years now. Many studies have been performed to try to discover any possible effects on children born through IVF . A new study suggests that
IVF
does not increase the risk of developmental disorders in children.
Many questions have been generated in the past about IVF and child development because of the higher instances of premature birth and lower birth weights. Generally in IVF, there is a higher chance for multiple pregnancies. As with any multiple pregnancies, there are greater risks involved. Some of those risks include premature birth and lower birth weights. These and other IVF treatment complications could be attributed to the higher chance for multiple pregnancies and not necessarily the IVF treatment itself.
New IVF study
A study presented at the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology looked at the general movement patterns of babies at 3 months of age. To eliminate the factor of multiple births, the study observed only singleton babies born. The team investigated 68 babies born after conventional IVF where the ovaries are stimulated with hormones to produce multiple eggs and 59 babies born under modified IVF using fewer hormones. In this type of IVF, called natural cycle IVF, one egg develops naturally and is fertilized. Ninety babies conceived without fertility treatment were used as a comparison group. These subfertile couples were previously referred to a fertility clinic but never underwent treatment. Data from 450 children in welfare clinics was also collected to determine the quality of movements in the general population. Conclusions-No increased risk found in IVF babies Assessing the spontaneous movements in early infancy, researchers found that movements in the singleton babies born with conventional and modified IVF were similar to movements in the singleton babies born to the subfertile couples who conceived on their own. No increased risk of abnormal general movements was found. This suggests that babies conceived from in vitro fertilization are not at an increased risk for other neurological disorders, like cerebral palsy, compared to naturally conceived babies of the subfertile couples. Interestingly, more abnormal movements were observed in the babies born to the subfertile control couples than the babies in the general population. This information hints that factors relating to subfertility may be responsible for causing problems in babies rather than the treatment for infertility such as IVF. The children studied need to be assessed a few more times up until their second birthday. Around their fourth birthday, another follow up is intended as some disorders are only detectable as children grow older. This study presents some great findings about hormonal stimulation on brain development, the success of IVF, and its further implications. The investigation also points out that subfertility factors could play a role in neurological conditions. Further studies and research are necessary to support these findings, but in general, it can be stated that IVF does not lead to developmental problems in early infancy.
