Date Published: 11 June 2010

French study into risks in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Recent research carried out in France has shown that there is a small but clear increase in risks of congenital abnormalities in children born as a result of IVF or ICSI. The reason for this is not clear and the risks are still very small. The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has said that it is important that patients are informed about this study, but not alarmed by it.

The title of the French study is:

'C06.1 - Is there an increased risk of congenital malformations after Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)? Results of a French cohort composed of 15 162 children'

In order to ensure that UK patients understand the risks of Assisted REproductive Technologies (ART), the HFEA keeps this type of research under review. When results indicate that there may be a greater risk they share the information with patients in a clear way in order to help them understand the risks associated with the choices they are making.

Note about the source of this item: The HFEA is the UK government's independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Their role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research. The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (UK Law), 1990. The HFEA's principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), donor insemination (DI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.

News is included on the IvyRose website to inform visitors about current health issues, but not to endorse any particular view or activity. Any views expressed in the article above are not necessarily those of IvyRose Ltd.. Material in this news item was released by the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on 11 June 2010 and may have been edited (e.g. in style, length, and/or for ease of understanding by our international readers) for inclusion here. For further information, please visit their website.