Study: IVF Babies Have Higher Heart Disease Risk, Multiple Births a Key Factor

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 19th, by reporter Hsu Chih-wei) A study from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYMCTU) indicates that babies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) have a higher risk of congenital heart disease than those conceived naturally, with multiple-gestation pregnancy being one of the key factors. It is recommended that pregnant women with multiple gestations consider fetal echocardiography for early detection. NYMCTU issued a press release today stating that Professor Chien Li-ying from the Institute of Community Health Care at the School of Nursing, in collaboration with public health scholars, analyzed a nationwide database from 2004 to 2017, covering over 1.8 million parent-child pairs. Children were categorized based on their parents' fertility status as naturally conceived, sub-fertile, or IVF, and were tracked for cardiovascular disease from birth to age 13. The study found that compared to naturally conceived children, both children born through IVF and those with sub-fertile parents had a significantly increased risk of congenital heart disease, suggesting that underlying infertility factors may affect the health of the next generation. The study also found that 'multiple-gestation pregnancy' is a key factor. In the association between IVF and congenital heart disease, over 50% of the risk can be explained by multiple-gestation pregnancy, indicating that the common strategy of multiple embryo implantation in assisted reproduction may indirectly increase the risk of neonatal cardiac abnormalities. Based on these findings, the team supports single embryo implantation to reduce associated risks and also recommends that pregnant women with multiple gestations consider fetal echocardiography for early detection and intervention. Chien Li-ying explained that with the popularization of assisted reproductive technology, the proportion of babies born through IVF continues to rise. This study analyzes nationwide data to provide evidence-based results, helping medical personnel and parents to make comprehensive assessments. Although the study found an increased risk, the incidence rate is still relatively low, so parents need not panic excessively. The team will conduct longer-term follow-up to clarify the impact of IVF on cardiovascular health in adulthood. (Editor: Longe Pan-an)