Babies conceived through assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, have a 36% higher risk of developing major heart defects than babies conceived naturally. A new study has revealed,
Nevertheless, heart defects are relatively rare. The study authors found them in 1.15% of babies conceived naturally and 1.84% of babies born after assisted reproduction. The risk increased to 2.47% for IVF babies born as multiples.
The research – one of the largest to date – is based on an analysis of more than 7.7 million births in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
“Previous research suggests that there are increased risks for babies conceived with the help of assisted reproductive technology. These include premature birth and low birth weight,” said lead study author Ulla-Britt Wennerholm of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. “We wanted to investigate whether babies born after assisted reproduction had a higher risk of heart defects.”
Wennerholm’s team compared data from babies conceived naturally through IVF; Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), when a sperm is injected directly into the egg during IVF; And a frozen embryo.
The researchers then tracked how many babies in each respective group were diagnosed with serious heart defects in utero or within the first year of life.
The study authors took into account factors such as the mother’s age at delivery and whether she smoked during pregnancy or had a history of diabetes or heart defects.
Researchers are hopeful with their findings published last week European Heart JournalLead to timely diagnosis of heart defects and life-saving intervention.
“Congenital heart defects can be extremely serious, requiring specialist surgery when babies are very young, so knowing which babies are most at risk will help us diagnose heart defects as early as possible and provide the right care. And that can help ensure treatment,” Wennerholm said. ,
according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine2.5% of all US births are Result of successful IVF treatment,
in Denmark, About 9% of live births occur through IVF.The highest proportion in any country.
“As more and more people are conceiving with the help of assisted reproductive technology, we can expect to see an increase in cases of congenital heart defects around the world,” says Wennerholm.
Wennerholm and his team believe there may be a link between infertile parents and children born with heart defects. Congenital heart disease in the parents and in their children,” she said.
IVF was developed in the 1970s primarily to help women with blocked fallopian tubes.
Since its inception, the technology has been used to help people conceive in other situations, such as women suffering from repeated miscarriages, male infertility and couples using surrogates.
In IVF, the most common form of assisted reproductive technology, eggs are collected from a woman and combined with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos, which are placed in the uterus.
Patients can get their fetus tested For genetic abnormalities before transfer.
The success rate of genetically healthy embryos is 60% to 65%These chances decrease if the woman is older or has a uterine condition that makes it difficult for an embryo to implant.
Earlier this year, researchers at the University of California, San Diego revealed a Non-invasive method for better prediction embryo quality Created through IVF.
cost of one cycle of ivf The cost can range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the various medications, fees, procedures and consultations required for success.
sometimes it seems several rounds For the birth of a child.
