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The Associated Press
IVF Babies Not At Greater Risk For Birth Defects, Study Finds
Babies born via in vitro fertilization IVF aren't at a higher risk for birth defects than those conceived naturally, according to the findings of a large study published online by the New England Journal of Medicine. The study suggests that both IVF treatment itself and underlying infertility could contribute to birth defect rates.
Compared to babies born via natural conception, infants resulting from simple IVF had no increased risk for birth defects when controlling for factors such as maternal age and smoking habits. However, those conceived using intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI, where a single sperm is injected into an egg, had higher rates of birth defects - about 10 versus just 6 in naturally conceived babies.
Researchers employed preimplantation genetic diagnosis to screen embryos for either BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene mutations linked to breast cancer. This technique could indicate that the additional manipulation of eggs and sperm might cause harm, or other genetic issues may be present within defective sperm leading to fertilization.
Dr. Michael Davies, leader of this study from the University of Adelde in Australia, stressed: I don't want to scare people since most babies are born healthy. He suggests using simple IVF without sperm injection, freezing embryos and implanting only one or two at a time - steps that can reduce birth defect risks.
The research was funded by health agencies in Australia and covered the records of nearly 303,000 babies conceived naturally from 1986 to 2002 alongside those born via IVF. The study counted heart defects, spinal issues, urinary tract abnormalities, limb problems, as well as conditions like cleft palate or lip, but not minor defects requiring treatment or disfigurement.
Differences in birth defect rates between various fertility treatments were investigated by the researchers, and they compared them to three groups of women who had natural pregnancies with or without history of infertility. ICSI was found to result in higher birth defect rates when taking into account other influencing factors.
Dr. Darine El-Chaar from Canada's University of Ottawa commented on the findings: This is an impressive study that needed to be done and it clarifies that simple IVF carries no higher risk. However, he also noted that ICSI might increase risks for birth defects when used because male infertility exists.
Dr. Glenn Schattman, president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies and a fertility specialist at Cornell University, agreed that ordinary IVF appears safe while urging caution with ICSI, especially in cases where it is chosen due to severe male infertility.
Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, geneticist and research chief at the March of Dimes, advised doctors to take this study seriously and discuss its findings with patients. He noted improvements in techniques over the past decade that could mean ICSI's risks are now lower than they were when this study began.
Dr. Julio E. Pabon, medical director of Fertility Center and Applied Genetics of Florida and faculty member at Florida State University College of Medicine, agreed with Simpson while adding that some congenital anomalies associated with ICSI usage might be linked to genetic abnormalities in the father related to infertility - however, these are uncommon issues typically easily diagnosed and treated.
Dr. Pabon also stated: Couples do not choose to use a sperm donor to avoid ICSI.
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