Report Examines Health Outcomes of Children Conceived Through Fertility Treatments
A study released on Tuesday from researchers at the University of Bristol examines the question of whether concerns about the effects of fertility treatment on children’s development are warranted.
Since the first child was born by way of in vitro fertilization, a number of questions have been raised about potential risks associated with the treatment. Some studies have indicated that there is an increased risk of low birthweight and preterm birth in offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technology.
The study provides evidence that differences in growth, weight and body fat levels of children conceived through fertility treatment are small and no longer apparent by late adolescence.
To conduct the study, researchers used data from 158,000 European, Asian-Pacific and Canadian children conceived by assistive reproductive technology.
Those conceived using ART were on average shorter, lighter and thinner from infancy up to early adolescence compared with their naturally conceived peers, but the differences were small across all ages and reduced with older age.
Alexa can be reached at [email protected]
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