Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine
Published on: February 9, 2016
Long-Term Cardiovascular Morbidity in Children Born Following Fertility Treatment
Sivan Reut Shiloh1, Eyal Sheiner1, Tamar Wainstock2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Insights
Children born after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ovulation induction do not face a higher risk of long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study found no significant difference in CVD incidence compared to children from spontaneous pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ovulation induction are increasingly common.
- Concerns exist regarding the long-term health outcomes of children conceived through these methods, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Understanding the pediatric CVD risk associated with fertility treatments is crucial for parental counseling and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in children born following in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ovulation induction compared to those from spontaneous pregnancies.
- To evaluate hospitalizations related to CVD up to age 18 in different conception groups.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study analyzed singleton deliveries between 1991 and 2014.
- Children's hospitalization records for CVD (including valvular disorders, hypertension, arrhythmias, etc.) up to age 18 were assessed.
- Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used to compare cumulative incidence and control for confounders.
Main Results:
- The study included 242,187 singleton deliveries; 1.1% conceived via IVF and 0.7% via ovulation induction.
- Hospitalization rates for CVD up to age 18 were comparable across IVF (0.6%), ovulation induction (0.7%), and spontaneous (0.6%) groups.
- After adjusting for maternal and gestational factors, fertility treatments were not identified as a risk factor for pediatric CVD.
Conclusions:
- Singletons conceived via fertility treatments do not exhibit an increased risk of long-term pediatric cardiovascular disease.
- These findings suggest that current fertility treatments are safe concerning long-term cardiovascular health in offspring.
- Further research can focus on other potential long-term health outcomes.
Objective:
To determine the risk of long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) among children born following in vitro fertilization (IVF) and compared with spontaneous pregnancies.
Study Design:
A population-based cohort study including all singleton deliveries occurring between 1991and 2014 at a tertiary medical center was performed. Hospitalizations up to the age of 18 years involving CVD were evaluated in children delivered following IVF, ovulation induction, and spontaneous pregnancies. CVD included valvular disorders, hypertension, arrhythmias, rheumatic disease, cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare cumulative morbidity incidence, and a Cox regression model controlled for confounders.
Results:
During the study period, 242 187 singleton deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 1.1% following IVF (n = 2603), and 0.7% following ovulation induction (n = 1721). Hospitalizations up to the age of 18 years involving CVD (n = 1503) were comparable in children delivered following IVF (0.6%), ovulation induction (0.7%), and spontaneous pregnancies (0.6%; P = .884). No significant difference in the cumulative incidence of CVD was noted between the groups (log rank P = .781). Controlling for maternal age, gestational age, birthweight, maternal diabetes, and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, fertility treatment was not noted as a risk factor for long-term pediatric CVD (IVF adjusted hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.63-1.74, P = .86; ovulation induction adjusted hazard ratio 0.97, CI 95% 0.55-1.71, P = .92).
Conclusions:
Singletons conceived via fertility treatments do not appear to be at an increased risk of long-term pediatric CVD.
More Related Videos
09:05Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)
Published on: June 12, 2017
07:20Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
02:44The Born-Haber Cycle
01:38Fertilization
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:05Long-term Depression
01:14Overview of the Cardiovascular System
Heart
The heart is the central pump of the cardiovascular system that circulates blood throughout the body. It comprises two atria receiving the blood and two ventricles pumping blood out of the heart. Their rhythmic contractions, called heartbeats, ensure that blood flow remains continuous.
Blood Vessels
Blood...
01:27Regulation of the Cardiovascular System
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...