Babies born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are up to twice as likely to experience serious heart defects compared to those conceived naturally, according to a comprehensive new study. The research, which examined over 7.7 million births across Scandinavia, highlights a significant increase in congenital heart issues among children conceived via methods like IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and embryo freezing.
The findings suggest that ART-conceived children have a 36% higher risk of developing heart defects, with the risk rising even further for twins or multiple births, which are more common in ART pregnancies. Twins born through assisted reproduction had a particularly elevated risk, with rates of major heart defects reaching 2.47%, compared to 1.15% for single births.
The research, published in the journal Heart, analyzed the health records of live births in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, spanning up to 31 years. It took into account factors like maternal age, smoking during pregnancy, and pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart defects in the mother. Despite adjusting for these factors, the increased risk remained consistent across different types of ART.
Professor Ulla-Britt Wennerholm of the University of Gothenburg, who led the study, emphasized the importance of the findings for early diagnosis and treatment. “Congenital heart defects can be very serious, often requiring immediate surgery in infants,” she noted. “Identifying which babies are at the highest risk allows clinicians to intervene as early as possible.”
The study also raises the possibility that there could be an underlying link between the causes of infertility and the risk of congenital heart disease in ART-conceived children. While ART has been a critical tool for many couples struggling to conceive, researchers caution that potential risks like birth defects and lower birth weights should be considered.
Dr. Nathalie Auger from the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, who wrote an accompanying editorial, pointed out that while most ART-conceived babies are healthy, these procedures do carry risks. She noted that couples who use ART may already have health issues that affect both their fertility and the likelihood of heart defects in their offspring.
Since the introduction of IVF in 1991, almost 400,000 babies have been born through ART in the UK alone. As the use of assisted reproduction increases globally, experts predict a rise in cases of congenital heart defects, underscoring the need for informed decision-making for prospective parents.
