Concerns about effect of fertility treatment on baby development ‘unwarranted’

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Differences in growth, weight and body fat levels of children conceived through fertility treatment even out by the time they hit their late teens, a study has suggested. Parents and their children conceived by ART can be reassured that this might mean they are a little bit smaller and lighter from infancy to adolescence, but these differences are unlikely to have any health implications Dr Ahmed Elhakeem, University of Bristol The research found that people conceived using ART were on average shorter, lighter and thinner from infancy up to early adolescence compared with their naturally conceived peers. “We acknowledge it is important that as more people conceived by ART become adults, we continue to explore any potential health risks at older age.” An international research group from the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Future Health Cohort Collaboration, looked at whether conception by ART – which mostly involves IVF – was associated with growth, weight and body fat from infancy to early adulthood. “Health outcomes in children conceived using assisted reproductive technology is a high priority for the HFEA and we monitor the latest research and provide information for patients and professionals.