IVF raises risk of developmental problems in premature infants, finds study

An Australian study has found that very premature babies born after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment are more likely to have some functional disability at ages 2 and 3 years than babies who were conceived naturally.

The researchers, from a number of medical institutions in Australia, looked at neurodevelopmental outcomes in 1473 infants who were born between 1998 and 2004 at less than 29 weeks’ gestation. Fifteen per cent (217) of these babies were born after assisted conception, either IVF or hyperovulation.

The researchers used …