Children born following IVF twice as likely to suffer ill-health

A study of hundreds of seven-year-olds has revealed that they are admitted to hospital much more frequently than other youngsters of the same age.
While many of their illnesses were common to all children, those born through fertility treatment suffered more fits and more conditions connected to the brain and immune system.
The British study also showed that IVF twins tend to require more hospital treatment than youngsters from single births.
The figures, published in Human Reproduction, a respected medical journal, will fuel fears over fertility treatments. Previous studies have shown that young men conceived this way are more likely to be infertile.
IVF babies are also more likely to suffer from birth defects, including heart problems, and are thought to be at higher risk of autism and cerebral palsy.
More than 30,000 women undergo IVF treatment in the UK each year, leading to the birth of more than 10,000 babies.
Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, the paediatrician behind the research, said: 'There are two sides to the coin and we have to say that in most cases, everything seems to go perfectly fine.
'But we have to give accurate information and inform the families there may be some risks - and even risks about which we don't yet know.'
The Imperial College London professor scrutinised the health of almost 900 boys and girls, a third of whom had been born after fertility treatment.
Analysis of hospital records revealed that the IVF children had been admitted to hospital more often and spent more time there.
On average, a seven-year-old conceived after fertility treatment had been in hospital 1.76 times - while a child conceived naturally had been admitted only once. By the age of seven, IVF children had spent an average of 4.31 days in hospital, almost two days longer than other children.
The study, carried out in conjunction with Finnish researchers, took into account only admissions after the children reached one month.
This ensured the results were not skewed by difficulties in the days immediately after birth. Further analysis of the records also revealed differences in the types of illness suffered.
Both sets of children were treated for stomach bugs, ear infections and coughs and colds. However, fits and other conditions affecting the brain were more common in those born after IVF treatment.
These youngsters were also more prone to infections and to asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which have links to the immune system.
The researchers said that some of the findings could be explained by the high number of twins born through IVF.
As they are more likely to be lighter than other babies and be born prematurely, twins tend to be more illness-prone than other children. However IVF children who weren't twins were also sicker than their naturallyconceived counterparts. It is possible the health problems were somehow caused by the IVF process itself.
It is also possible that chlamydia infection, stress and other factors which may have affected the mother's fertility went on to impact on the baby's development in the womb.
It may however be that parents who have undergone fertility treatment are simply more inclined to seek medical help.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is considering restricting the number of embryos implanted - to just one in most cases - in a bid to cut the number of multiple births. Dr Allan Pacey, of the British Fertility Society, said many of the health problems associated with IVF were linked to the high number of twins and other multiple births.
The Sheffield University fertility expert said: 'We know IVF children are pretty healthy but there are some little things, quite serious things in some cases, that do seem to be on the increase in IVF children.
'It is important to understand them and try to work out why they occur, so that if there is a possibility of doing something to prevent it, we have the opportunity to do that.
'It is important to understand the risks and not ignore them but any women undergoing treatment shouldn't be desperately worried.'