Authors' objectives:

This report aims to provide a systematic literature review of studies that followed up on children born from in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The literature review was requested by The National Swedish Board of Health and Welfare and is part of a broader review in the field of in vitro fertilization.

Authors' recommendations: The findings reveal that the greatest concern associated with in vitro fertilization is the high rate of twin births. In Sweden over 40 percent of IVF children are twins. In addition, there is a greater risk for complications related to premature birth and low birth weight, both of which in the short and the long term can lead to increased morbidity among the children. Even with single births, there is an increased risk for premature delivery and low birth weight, which presumably is associated with the condition of the mother rather than with the IVF method per se. Many studies have attempted to determine if there is a higher risk for various types of malformations, but most studies are too small to confirm this. A large Swedish registry study, however, suggests there may be such an increased risk. In absolute numbers, however, the risks for malformation are small and most children born after IVF are healthy. Nevertheless, it is important to reduce the number of twin births. This can be done by implanting only a single fertilized egg at a time into the mother.

Authors' methods: Review, Registry study

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.sbu.se/Published

Year Published: 2000

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Sweden

Organisation Name: Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services

Contact Address: P.O. Box 3657, SE-103 59 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 4123200, Fax: +46 8 4113260

Contact Name: registrator@sbu.se

Contact Email: registrator@sbu.se

Copyright: Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU)