IVF Linked to Slightly Higher Risk of Major Heart Defects in Babies

New study finds a 36% increase in major heart defects among babies conceived through assisted reproductive technology, though the absolute risk remains low.

• Research involving over 7 million children from Nordic countries shows a 36% higher risk of major heart defects in babies conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART) compared to natural conception.
• Despite the increased risk, major heart defects remain rare, affecting less than 2% of ART-conceived infants.
• The study did not find significant differences in heart defect risks between various ART methods, such as IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• Multiple births, which are more common in ART, were identified as having a higher risk of heart defects, but recent trends show a move towards single embryo transfers.
• The exact cause of the increased risk is unclear, with theories ranging from the ART process itself to underlying genetic factors in parents facing infertility.

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