Scientists from the University of Bristol found that children born with the help of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) do not have abnormalities in the development of the cardiovascular system. The research was published in the journal European Heart Journal.
The study, led by an international team of scientists, analyzed data from 35,000 children from Europe, Singapore and Australia. The scientists compared biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in children born via reproductive technology and those who conceived naturally. Data on blood pressure, pulse, lipid and blood sugar levels in children were collected from childhood to 20 years of age.
The team found that those who became pregnant through ART had slightly higher cholesterol levels in childhood, but no differences were observed in adulthood. Overall, children born via ART had the same risk of cardiovascular disease as those born naturally. In adulthood, children who became pregnant with ART had slightly higher blood pressure, but were not dangerous.