BioEdge is reporting on an Australian study conducted 1984-2000 that shows twins conceived by IVF (in vitro fertilization) have poorer health outcomes that children conceived naturally. Since 20-30% of IVF and other assisted reproductive conceptions are twins, this is a significant finding affirming other research.
IVF twins are far more likely to need hospital treatment than naturally-conceived twins, according to a study based on Australian births. It was already known that IVF twins have poorer health outcomes, with lower birthweights, prematurity or birth defects. But this was thought to be due to being a twin rather than to IVF. The research, which was published in the journal Human Reproduction, knocks this theory on the head. Normally conceived twins are healthier and IVF twins spend about an extra 4 days in hospital after birth, have an almost 4-fold increased risk of admission to neo-natal intensive care, and an increased risk of hospital admission in the first three years. As the authors point out, IVF is not only riskier but more expensive.
