Dr. Jamie Grifo Contributes to WebMD Article on IVF and Birth Defects
June 11, 2010
Slightly more than 4% of babies born via assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have major birth defects, such as heart and urogenital tract malformations, according to a new study. But U.S. experts are quick to point out that these risks are not much different from what would be expected in the general population. And the risks are much lower than what has been found in some other studies of babies born as a result of fertility treatments. "Even in the worst case scenario, the risk [of birth defects] is low," says Jamie Grifo, MD, PhD, director of NYU Fertility Center in New York City. "Your risk may be higher because you are infertile or because you are being treated for infertility, but it is still a low number," he tells WebMD.
