The field of reproductive medicine is growing due to advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART) [De Geyter C, 2023]. More than 10 million children are so far conceived through ART worldwide [ART fact sheet 2023]. This study investigates whether children conceived after ART have a higher risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs) compared with children born after spontaneous conception (SC).
All 7 747 637 liveborn children in Denmark (1994–2014), Finland (1990–2014), Norway (1984–2015), and Sweden (1987–2015), where 171 735 children were conceived after ART, were included. National ART and medical birth registry data were cross-linked with data from other health and population registries.
Major CHDs were detected in 3159 children born after ART (1.84%) and in 86 824 children born after SC [1.15%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–1.41]. Risk was highest in multiples, regardless of conception method. Severe CHDs were detected in 594 children born after ART (0.35%) and in 19 375 children born after SC (0.26%; AOR 1.30; 95% CI 1.20–1.42). Risk was similar between ICSI and IVF and between frozen and fresh embryo transfer.
Assisted reproductive technology–conceived children have a higher prevalence of major CHDs, being rare, but severe conditions. The absolute risks are, however, modest and partly associated with multiple pregnancies, more prevalent in ART.
