In Vitro Fertilization Technology and Child Health.
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BORIS DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
32031509
Description
BACKGROUND
Just under 3% of children in Germany, and approximately 6% of children in some other countries, such as Denmark, are now being conceived with the aid of in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. Alongside the increased risk of organ malformation, there is now evidence for functional abnormalities due to epigenetic modifications.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a literature search on currently known associations of IVF therapy with malformations and functional abnormalities. The potential implications for the treatment of infertility are discussed.
RESULTS
The risk of congenital malformations is approximately one-third higher in children conceived with the aid of IVF technology than in other children; specifically, there is an odds ratio (OR) of 1.29 (95% confidence interval, [1.03; 1.60]) for cardiac malformations, and there is a relative risk (RR) of 1.35 ([1.12; 1.64]) for musculo- skeletal malformations and 1.58 ([1.28; 1.94]) for genitourinary malformations. The risks of preterm birth and low birth weight are, respectively, 1.7 and 1.5 times higher in IVF singleton pregnancies than in non-IVF pregnancies. Cardiovascular changes are the main type of functional disturbance. Some of the risks associated with IVF have decreased in recent years. An association has been revealed between cardiovascular abnormalities and epigenetic modifications; the causes are thought to include not only maternal and paternal factors, but also the IVF techniques that are used. A modification of IVF therapies might lower the risks, but might also lower the success rate.
CONCLUSION
For the well-being of the children to be conceived, IVF therapy should hat cannot be treated by any other means, as the precise causes of the risks of IVF to child health are unclear.
Just under 3% of children in Germany, and approximately 6% of children in some other countries, such as Denmark, are now being conceived with the aid of in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. Alongside the increased risk of organ malformation, there is now evidence for functional abnormalities due to epigenetic modifications.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a literature search on currently known associations of IVF therapy with malformations and functional abnormalities. The potential implications for the treatment of infertility are discussed.
RESULTS
The risk of congenital malformations is approximately one-third higher in children conceived with the aid of IVF technology than in other children; specifically, there is an odds ratio (OR) of 1.29 (95% confidence interval, [1.03; 1.60]) for cardiac malformations, and there is a relative risk (RR) of 1.35 ([1.12; 1.64]) for musculo- skeletal malformations and 1.58 ([1.28; 1.94]) for genitourinary malformations. The risks of preterm birth and low birth weight are, respectively, 1.7 and 1.5 times higher in IVF singleton pregnancies than in non-IVF pregnancies. Cardiovascular changes are the main type of functional disturbance. Some of the risks associated with IVF have decreased in recent years. An association has been revealed between cardiovascular abnormalities and epigenetic modifications; the causes are thought to include not only maternal and paternal factors, but also the IVF techniques that are used. A modification of IVF therapies might lower the risks, but might also lower the success rate.
CONCLUSION
For the well-being of the children to be conceived, IVF therapy should hat cannot be treated by any other means, as the precise causes of the risks of IVF to child health are unclear.
Date of Publication
2020-01-17
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
de
Contributor(s)
Additional Credits
Series
Deutsches Ärzteblatt international
Publisher
Deutscher Ärzte-Verlag
ISSN
1866-0452
Access(Rights)
restricted