Intrauterine environment-genome interaction and children's development (3): Assisted reproductive technologies and developmental disorders

J Toxicol Sci. 2009:34 Suppl 2:SP287-91. doi: 10.2131/jts.34.sp287.

Abstract

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are widely used clinically as infertility treatments. Although ART procedures are generally considered safe, some studies have suggested an increase in the occurrence of major malformations and some other complications in babies conceived by ART. Further, it has recently been suggested that ART are associated with imprinting disorders in the offspring such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Angelman syndrome. We review the human and animal studies investigating the outcome of ART pregnancies and discuss the potential risk of ART to pre- and perinatal development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angelman Syndrome / etiology*
  • Animals
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome / etiology*
  • Congenital Abnormalities / etiology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Genomic Imprinting
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
  • Risk