Do IVF babies have problems later in life?

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The increasing question among humans related to IVF is ‘Do IVF babies have problems later in their life?’ This blog will share you an immense knowledge regarding IVF babies. Keep Reading!

One of the most splendid explorations in the medical field is IVF, In vitro fertilization that has benefited many couples to overcome reproductive issues. When Steptoe and Edwards worked hard to find a possible solution to resolve the problem of conception in 1966, they ended up in the proposal of IVF in which fertilization occurs outside the female body. The world’s first ‘test-tube’ baby, in 1978 is a wonder and elucidated as a medical miracle. The primary aim of the IVF is to boost the pregnancy rates in the department of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

Though medical technology was appreciated, there raised various questions to elucidate its various consequences to the babies in their later life. Recent years, researchers started to scrutinize the health of the babies who were born after IVF. It includes various aspects, let’s have a brief overview in the following paragraphs.

The prenatal period and environmental influences

Though formation of a body and its system is a complex process, it can be directly affected by two main factors from conception to birth. They are prenatal and environmental influences.

Prenatal period can be distinguished into three phases namely the germinal, the embryonic and the fetal period. During the embryonic phase major developments of organs and its functions are established and continue to grow in the fetal period. These significant periods can be influenced by internal and external factors. Intrinsic factors can be Chromosomal disorders, Chronic fetal infections, Congenital malformation, and Genetic variations. Extrinsic factors include Cardiovascular illness, Severe anemia, Placental insufficiency, Abnormal placentation, Multiple pregnancy, Poor maternal nutrition, Smoking, Use of alcohol and any chemical agents.

Thus, these factors can impact and affect the child in later periods. You must also know about the perinatal outcomes of IVF pregnancies, the period of before birth and after birth. 

Perinatal outcome IVF pregnancies

Do you know? For the past two decades, there have been so many unfavourable perinatal outcomes revealed. What are perinatal outcomes? Preterm birth, low birth weight, and perinatal death that happens before or after birth of a baby is considered as perinatal outcomes. This happens by placing multiple embryos in the uterus during IVF. 

Some other possible contributing factors are reproductive issues in the women, underlying causes of infertility that required ART, and specifics of the IVF process itself.

So, perinatal deficiencies occur due to various underlying issues. This can lead to congenital abnormalities. Let’s have a brief view about congenital abnormalities in the next para.

Congenital disorders

If you are not aware of the term ‘congenital disorders’, let me give a short description about it. ‘Congenital disorders’ or ‘congenital anomalies’ means functional defects found in a new born baby, which can later influence the infant’s development. It includes cardiovascular defects, neural tube defects, chromosomal defects, gastrointestinal defects, orofacial defects and musculoskeletal defects.

How does it originate? These defects occur due to maternal illness, infections caused by agents like virus, bacteria, fungi etc. It is also influenced by extrinsic factors like noise, vibration, radiation, and heat. Consumption of alcohol and smoking will also create congenital disorders.

How can we prevent these congenital disorders? Well, some congenital abnormalities can be prevented through vaccination, proper intake of folic acid supplements and proper maternity care.

Tip: It is highly recommended to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day during pregnancy.

Childhood cancer

It’s quite daunting when we hear the word ‘cancer’. Though the underlying cause for childhood cancer differs, its correlation with Assisted Reproductive Technology has a huge impact. 

Childhood malignancies, such as sarcoma, tumors of the central nervous system, hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma, and retinoblastoma have been identified. The most challenging and common form of cancer found in childhood is leukemia.

Can we prevent childhood cancer? Well, research is needed to identify the underlying cause for the childhood cancer which is associated with IVF. It is advised to monitor or follow-up the children who were born out of IVF.

Consume a nutritional diet, avoid being exposed to radiation, avoid smoking and intake of alcohol. These small steps can make a huge impact.

Growth and physical development

When it comes to growth and development, there is no huge difference between a naturally delivered child and IVF child. But, according to the research, it is said that higher hospitalization rates have been noted among term-born IVF children up to the age of six.

It is also discovered that neurological issues have been following in vitro fertilization. There are also high risks for cerebral palsy and epilepsy in the child born out of IVF. Children born after IVF are also under the risk of convulsion. They also had reduced body mass index values and a better lipid profile, including a lower HDL cholesterol ratio and triglyceride levels.

As for childhood cancer, a long-term follow up is essential for growth and physical development of IVF born children.

Epigenetic defects

Have you ever heard about epigenetic defects? In a nutshell, there are certain chemicals in our body’s cells, which have a control over how our genes work. When these cells change beyond your genetics, it is considered as epigenetics. It includes imprinting disorders, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and neurology disorders. Let’s examine these epigenetic defects further;

What are imprinting disorders? It is a collection of congenital illnesses which can affect growth, development, metabolism, and other elements of health. It includes Angelman syndrome that involves severe mental retardation, lack of speech and happy disposition. Again, there is another syndrome called Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Somatic overgrowth, congenital malformation and predisposition to embryonic neoplasia comes under Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome.

Now, let’s come to blood pressure, it is found that children born after IVF have high blood pressure, hypertension. And there is also an increased rate of triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a form of fats that originates from both body and food, that are used as energy later.

The risk of neurology disorders such as autism, learning disability and language disorders has also increased in children born out of IVF.

Still, there is no clear evidence that these defects occur only due to IVF treatment. Researchers are still in the process of experimenting with these facts.  

Cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental delay

Further studies on IVF children have revealed that children following IVF have cerebral palsy. It’s a condition in which movement and posture gets affected due to the damage found in the developing brain before birth. As we saw in the above paragraph, there is a neurological disorder which happens due to delay of neurodevelopment.

Cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental delay are influenced by preterm birth, low birthweight, multiple births and the underlying cause for infertility.

Conclusion

Though there are various factors affecting children born through IVF, still there is no clear evidence that the underlying cause for these defects are IVF. Cognitive development, school performance and social behaviour are found to be very similar with the children conceived naturally.

Thus, don’t panic. Researchers are still working on it. With the advanced science and technology, the medical field will overcome these issues soon.

FAQs

Childhood malignancies, such as sarcoma, tumors of the central nervous system, hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma, and retinoblastoma have been identified with the children undergone IVF. The most challenging and common form of cancer found in childhood is leukemia.

But still, there is no proper evidence for the childhood cancer which is associated with IVF.

Well, IVF babies are more likely to get ill soon due to premature birth, low birth weight and neonatal deaths. It is found that children born after IVF have high blood pressure and an increased rate of triglyceride levels. The risk of neurology disorders such as autism, learning disability and language disorders has also increased in children born out of IVF.

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Dr. Rukkayal Fathima

Dr Rukkayal Fathima, India's Leading Gynaecologist and the best fertility doctor in Chennai. She has 11+ years of experience and treated 1000+ patients. She finished her M. S., Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Madras Medical College), Chennai. She is a visiting consultant at St. Isabelle Hospital, Motherhood Hospital, Rainbow Hospital & Mehta Hospital. Dr Rukkayal Fathima specialises in Obstetrics care, Early Pregnancy Scan, IVF, ICSI, TESA/Micro TESE, Menopause advice, Gynaecological surgeries and endoscopy. She is a Co-Founder of Hive Fertility, the Best Fertility Center in Chennai.

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