The In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) method has been a boon to those infertile couples dreaming to start a family. However, according to a new study, babies who are conceived through IVF are at a greater risk of skull deformities.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. They explored the link between fertility treatments and craniosynostosis.
Long Term Side Effects Of IVF: Babies May Develop Skull Deformities
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Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in the baby’s skull join together too early even before the full development is finished.
This results not only in the skull deformity, but can also limit the growth of the brain. This condition is usually diagnosed shortly after birth.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that there are certain factors that raise the risk of this deformity. They include prenatal exposure to certain medications and material thyroid disease.
However, previous research cites that fertility treatments increase the risk of this congenital deformity. Researchers wanted to further find out more about this connection.
In order to do so, they considered the medical records of 200 babies who had corrective surgery for craniosynostosis in Tehran between 2010 to 2019.
Long Term Side Effects Of IVF: Mums Of Babies With Deformities Tended To Be Older Women
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Researchers discovered that eight of the babies were conceived through IVF, for a total of four per cent. The previous research estimated the risk of craniosynostosis is upwards of 1 in every 2,200 births.
Hence, these findings suggest that IVF may exacerbate this risk.
Even though there are various types of craniosynostosis, but researchers found that babies born through IVF had the same type.
They further found that mums of babies with craniosynostosis tended to be older than women who delivered infants without deformity.
The average age of mums who delivered babies with the condition was around 39 years, whereas, it was 27-years-old for mums whose babies weren’t diagnosed with craniosynostosis.
Limitations to the study
Talking about the certain limitations to the study, researchers failed to consider infants without craniosynostosis to compare the results. More research is needed to explore the possible link between IVF and craniosynostosis.
Future studies will have to include larger numbers of infants with and without the skull deformity to clarify whether an association exists.
There are other researches that have already talked about babies born through IVF and their increase in the risk of health issues like cancer and high blood pressure. The long term side effects of IVF on both the mum and the offspring requires more research before coming to any conclusion.
Signs of craniosynostosis
The first sign of craniosynostosis is usually an abnormally shaped skull.
Some other signs may include:
- A raised firm edge where the sutures closed early
- There has been a slow growth or no growth in the baby’s head size
- If there is no “soft spot” on the baby’s skull
Treatment of Craniosynostosis
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There are some kinds of craniosynostosis that may require surgery. The objective is to relieve the pressure on the brain and allow the brain to grow properly. The procedure is usually performed during the first year of life when needed.
However, the timing of the surgery depends on which sutures are closed and whether the baby has one of the genetic syndromes that can cause craniosynostosis.
If your baby has very mild craniosynostosis, they may not need any surgery. As your baby grows older and grows hair, the deformity of the skull is less noticeable.
The doctor might recommend you to use special medical helmets, it can be used to help mould the baby’s skull into a more regular shape.
Remember, every baby born with craniosynostosis is different, and the condition can vary from mild to severe. However, most babies with craniosynostosis are otherwise healthy.
But, there can be some developmental delays, because either the medical condition has kept the baby’s brain from growing and working normally, or because the baby has a genetic syndrome that caused both craniosynostosis and problems with how the brain works.
If you are pregnant and thinking of giving birth to a healthy one, discuss with your doctor your chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. In case of any doubt on whether you should give birth via IVF, it is always better to consult your doctor.
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