Study Reveals Increased Risk of Heart Defects in Babies Conceived Through Fertility Treatments
In a groundbreaking study published on Thursday, researchers have found that major heart defects are more prevalent—though still rare—among infants conceived through specific fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (I.V.F.). This research, which stands as the largest of its kind to date, analyzed the medical records of over seven million children born in the Nordic countries.
Dr. Ulla-Britt Wennerholm, the senior author of the study and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, stated, “It’s an increased risk, but the absolute risk is very small.” She also added, “I think that’s a reassuring finding, actually.”
The study specifically examined children born between 1984 and 2015 in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, all conceived through a category of fertility treatments known as assisted reproductive technology (A.R.T.). Among these methods, I.V.F. remains the most widely used.
Key findings include:
- The risk of a major heart defect in infants conceived through A.R.T. was found to be approximately 36 percent higher compared to those conceived naturally.
- Despite this increased risk, it is essential to note that less than 2 percent of infants conceived via A.R.T. were born with significant heart defects.
- The likelihood of heart defects did not vary based on the fertility method used, whether it was intracytoplasmic sperm injection (I.C.S.I.), where sperm is injected directly into an egg, or traditional I.V.F., where sperm is allowed to naturally penetrate the egg in a laboratory environment.
This comprehensive study provides vital insights into the implications of assisted reproductive technologies, helping to inform future parents and healthcare providers about potential risks while emphasizing that the overall incidence of such defects remains low.
