Is IVF Linked to Autism and Mental Retardation?

Compared with spontaneous conception, in vitro fertilization was associated with slightly higher risk for mental retardation.

Although more than 5 million infants have been born worldwide as a result of in vitro fertilization (IVF), information about their neural development is limited. Swedish investigators used national health registers to evaluate risks for autistic disorder and mental retardation after spontaneous conception or IVF in a population-based, prospective cohort study of the >2.5 million offspring born in Sweden from 1982 through 2007. All offspring were followed through 2009; about 1.2% (almost 31,000) were conceived with IVF.

Of 6959 children with autistic disorder, 103 (1.5%) were born following IVF. Of 15,830 with mental retardation, 180 (1.1%) were born after IVF. Risk for autistic disorder was not significantly increased after IVF (relative ris…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Is IVF Linked to Autism and Mental Retardation?

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Reviewing Author