According to recent research, children who are born via in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have a slightly higher chance of developing cancer.
When IVF first started more than 30 years ago, the initial fear was that the procedure could cause genetic problems in the child. Today, IVF is considered to be a safe procedure, and the methods have been refined over time.
However, a new group of studies suggest that children who are born via IVF may have a higher risk of birth defects along with a higher risk of certain diseases. The latest study shows that cancer occurs more often in children who are born via IVF.
Previous studies have not shown the same link that was found in the most recent research, but the different is that the most recent study had the largest sampling of data. Swedish researchers looked at data from more than 26,000 children who were born via IVF. When compared to the normal rates of cancer in the general population, it was found that IVF-babies have a higher risk.
The normal rate would be 38 cases out of the 26,000+ children. In the most recent study, 53 cases of cancer were discovered.
While the rate is not much higher, it is interesting to hear that some of the initial fears regarding IVF may be true after all. Other data has shown that other complications, like autism, may be more common with IVF as well.
While the results are not clear cut, it certainly is something that will be studied further.