Risk of Congenital Anomalies Linked to Various Fertility Treatments: A Comprehensive Review

The Risk of Congenital Anomalies by Fertility Treatment Modality

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review on the risk profiles and associations between various fertility treatments and congenital anomalies.

Introduction:

Up to 4 of all births in developed nations involve assisted reproductive technology ART, encompassing techniques such as in vitro fertilization IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI, ovulation induction, and others. As ART constitutes a significant segment of the population exposed to an increased risk of congenital anomalies, this review consolidate current knowledge on different fertility treatment modalities along with their associated risks.

:

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid Technologies, MedlinePlus Health Information, and other relevant databases. The keywords included 'congenital abnormalities', 'fertility treatments', 'IVF', 'ICSI', 'ovulation induction', and 'cryopreservation'. Studies were screened for relevance to the topic, with a focus on peer-reviewed articles published within the last decade.

Results:

1 IVF: An elevated risk of congenital anomalies has been associated with IVF pregnancies compared to naturally conceived babies. The most commonly observed abnormalities include cardiac defects, neural tube defects, and limb malformations.

2 ICSI: Despite limited evidence specifically on ICSI's impact on congenital anomaly rates, several studies suggest a slightly increased risk when compared to conventional IVF. Potential risks include aneuploidies and birth defects such as hypospadias in males.

3 Ovulation Induction: Use of fertility drugs for ovulation induction might increase the risk of multiple pregnancies and associated complications, which could indirectly influence the risk of congenital anomalies. However, direct evidence linking specific drugs to congenital anomalies is not robust.

4 Cryopreservation: While there are fewer studies on frozen embryo transfer FET, some suggest a slightly reduced incidence of pregnancy loss compared to fresh cycles but no significant difference in risk for congenital abnormalities.

:

Fertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI, ovulation induction, and cryopreservation each carry their own risk profiles associated with the increased occurrence of certn congenital anomalies. However, these risks are not definitive for all individuals undergoing fertility treatment and may vary based on specific factors including patient demographics, medical history, and type of treatment received.

Recommations:

1 Pre-conception counseling should include a discussion of potential risks related to the chosen fertility treatment.

2 Ongoing research is needed to further elucidate the detled mechanisms underlying these associations and refine risk assessment tools for patients considering fertility treatments.

3 Clinicians should advocate for regular fetal screening post-pregnancy, particularly in cases with a history of using assisted reproductive technologies.

Acknowledgements:

The development of this review would not have been possible without the collaborative effort of all contributing authors. Acknowledgments are exted to list contributors and their affiliations.

Ethical Consideration:

This review has complied with ethical guidelines as per institutional norms for research publication, ensuring respect for copyright laws, compliance with open access policies, and adherence to authorship attribution rules.

Glossary:

• IVF: In vitro fertilization

• ICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

• Ovulation Induction: Stimulation of ovulation through medication

• Cryopreservation: Preservation of biological samples at low temperatures

References:

Citations will be provided for all research sources used in this review following the Harvard referencing style.
This article is reproduced from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33506877/

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