A recent study has found that babies born after fertility treatment may have a slightly higher risk of heart defects compared to babies conceived naturally. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of California, analyzed data from over 6 million births in the United States.
The research found that babies born after fertility treatment were 9% more likely to be born with a heart defect compared to babies conceived naturally. However, it is important to note that the overall risk of heart defects in babies born after fertility treatment is still relatively low, with only 1.9% of babies born after fertility treatment being diagnosed with a heart defect.
The study also highlighted that the type of fertility treatment may play a role in the increased risk of heart defects. Babies born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were found to have a slightly higher risk of heart defects compared to those born after other types of fertility treatments. Additionally, multiple births, which are more common in fertility treatments like IVF, were also associated with a higher risk of heart defects.
Despite these findings, it is important to remember that the absolute risk of heart defects in babies born after fertility treatment is still low. The study authors stress that the benefits of fertility treatment in helping couples conceive should not be overlooked due to this slight increase in risk.
Overall, this study sheds light on the potential risks associated with fertility treatment and highlights the importance of close monitoring and follow-up care for babies born after such treatments. Further research is needed to better understand the link between fertility treatment and heart defects in newborns.
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