IQ of IVF Babies as High as that of Normally Conceived Peers

This article is written by Dr Puneet Rana Arora, Gynaecologist & fertility specialist (IVF), Centre for Infertility & Assisted Reproduction (CIFAR).

There is no evidence to support claims that babies born using In vitro fertilization (IVF) face higher health risks like congenital defects, said experts at a panel discussion organised here to dispel myths about assisted reproductive procedures.

Many studies suggest that almost all IVF babies are healthy, and any observed risks are minimal and comparable to those associated with natural conception, said Dr Puneet Rana Arora, Gynaecologist & fertility specialist (IVF), Centre for Infertility & Assisted Reproduction (CIFAR), Gurugram.

Dr Arora said, “I have seen IVF babies born with my assistance grow into normal, healthy adults. Some of them have even taken up medicine and specialisation in IVF after taking inspiration from their own origin.”

She dismissed as a myth the claim that IVF leads to higher rates of autism, lower IQ or learning disabilities. “This myth is not supported by substantial evidence,” she said.

Dr Arora said IVF has been a boon for high-age parents and there is no evidence to suggest that IVF babies have weaker immune systems compared to those conceived naturally.

“Children born using IVF are as healthy as those conceived naturally, and they face the same environmental and health challenges,” she said.

Research consistently shows that children conceived through IVF are as healthy as those conceived naturally, both physically and mentally, said Dr Arora.

While some studies have noted a marginal increase in neurological disorders among IVF children, these findings are not definitive and may be influenced by parental age and health rather than the IVF method itself, said a doctor from a Delhi government hospital.

In less-educated communities there still exists the misconception that babies conceived through IVF are “artificial” or abnormal, he said.

“Let me assure you that IVF babies undergo the same developmental processes as naturally conceived children. Research indicates that IVF children generally have similar physical and mental health outcomes as their peers conceived naturally,” said another penalist at the discussion organised by a social organisation.

Dr Arora said studies have shown that there is no major difference in psychological development or parent-child relationships between IVF and naturally conceived children.

Doctors also said that there is no substance in claims that IVF increases health risks for babies.

Mukesh Kumar, an IVF child’s father from Delhi, shared his experience. “Initially, me and my wife were worried on hearing relatives claim that IVF leads to higher rates of autism or learning disabilities but doctors told us that this is not supported by substantial evidence. Today, my son, born through IVF is in Class XI and there is no issue related to health or learning ability,” he said.

Dr Arora also countered a misconception among women that IVF depletes their egg supply. “IVF does not deplete a woman’s egg reserves. The process stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, but this does not accelerate the depletion of eggs,” she said.

Even after undergoing an IVF procedure, women continue to produce eggs naturally, and the hormonal medications used in IVF merely enhance the chances of egg maturation during a cycle, she said.

The panelists concluded by noting that myths surrounding the health of IVF babies often stem from misunderstandings about the process and its implications.

Dr Arora, who has decades of experience, said as IVF technology continues to evolve it is essential for prospective parents to seek accurate information to keep myths at bay and take decisions based on scientific research.