This disease that babies conceived by IVF are more likely to develop, according to a study

In vitro fertilization (IVF), also known as medically assisted reproduction. It is a technique designed to help couples experiencing difficulty in conceive a child. The process can be long and complex for parents.

It usually begins with ovarian stimulation aimed at producing multiple eggs. These eggs are then collected and fertilized in the laboratory with sperm. After a few days, the formed embryos are transferred to the mother’s uterus, with the hope that one or more of them will implant and develop into a pregnancy. Nearly 400,000 people were born in the UK thanks to IVF since 1991. This is information from the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority.

A study on the health of babies born via IVF

Concerning the health of children born thanks to in vitro fertilization, a study has just revealed new information. In fact, these babies are up to
twice as likely to suffer from heart defects according to the Daily Mail.

According to research involving more than 7.7 million people, this risk increases even more if they were born twins. Experts said the finding could help clinicians make faster diagnoses, with babies often requiring immediate surgery.

The risk of developing heart disease

The researchers studied the medical records of all children born alive in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. They were based on a period between 20 and 31 years old. Heart defects were about 36% more common in babies born after assisted reproduction than in babies conceived naturally. The risk is similar regardless of the type used.

Professor Ulla-Britt Wennerholm, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, explained: “Congenital heart defects can be extremely serious and require specialized surgery when babies are very young. Knowing which babies are most at risk can therefore help us diagnose heart defects as early as possible. as possible and ensure that appropriate care and treatment is provided“, she revealed. And continued: “More and more people are designing thanks to medically assisted reproductive technology. We can therefore expect an increase in cases of congenital heart defects worldwide.”