Infertile couples who undergo assisted reproductive technologies like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) or ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) should be alerted about the possible enhanced risks of birth defects in the children born out of the procedures than by natural conception.

About 2.5% in the general population are born with birth defects and this is enhanced to 3.5 % in assisted conception as per the latest research work.

A research is made on 13,500 births and 5000 controls revealed that the IVF babies have 30% more risk for birth defects such as cleft palates, defects of heart valves and digestive system, rare genetic disorders like Angle man’s syndrome and Beckwith-Wideman syndrome.

The risk is more with ICSI wherein only one sperm is injected into the oocyte limiting selection. The possible other reason is that the drugs used for super ovulation and treatment cause poor quality egg production. The experts in the field of these technologies are cautioning to keep this in mind and explain the parents about the possible defects born out of IVF and ICSI.

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  Fundamentals of Health and Life, organ systems, Reproductive System