Women conceiving through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), are at a four times higher risk of giving birth to a still born, reveals a new study.

The research conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark established that women who do not conceive naturally and take up any of the fertility treatments are four times more prone to give birth to a still fetus, than those who bear a child naturally.

Lead researcher Kirsten Wisborg said, “The results from our study emphasize the need for continuous follow-up of the outcome of fertility treatments so that the information given to infertile couples seeking treatment can be differentiated to their individual circumstances.”

Dr. Andre van Steirteghem, IVF pioneer cautioned, “IVF children could inherit infertility from their parents if the problem was genetic.”

Details of the study
The research team evaluated the record of 20,166 women registered for delivery between August 1989 and October 2006. All of these were first time pregnancies with single fetus.

The subjects’smoking and drinking habits were evaluated along with their age and educational level. The team also assessed the time the subjects took to conceive.

On analysis, the team found that out of the total number, 16,525 (82 percent) conceived on their own subsequent to less than 12 months.

Another 2,020 (10 percent) conceived after more than a year of effort and 879 (four percent) conceived post non-IVF treatment.

The records also showed that 742 (four percent) conceived after getting IVF or ICSI fertility treatment.

The records revealed that on the whole there were 86 stillbirths which signified that there was a risk of 4.3 stillbirths per thousand pregnancies.

In women undergoing IVF or ICSI, the stillbirths risk escalated to 16.2 per thousand pregnancies.

Details of the study appear in the Journal Human Reproduction.

Contradictory views
In another study headed by associate professor Dr. Karl Nygren, IVF and Fertility Clinic, Sofiahammet Hospital, Sweden, it was found that there seemed no connection howsoever, in increased stillbirth due to IVF or ICSI.

This study was conducted on more than 27,000 women undergoing fertility treatments.

“I don’t know why the two studies should have such different findings, but couples should be reassured that the risk of stillbirths is low,” stated Nygren.

Gynaecologist Mark Hamilton, in-charge of IVF services in Aberdeen and former chairman of British Fertility Society said, “It is known that certain complications in pregnancy occur with greater frequency after assisted reproduction treatment and obstetricians should be aware of this in planning care.”