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Project lead: Carrie Williams, University College London
The biggest study of its kind to date found that born from IVF are at no more risk of developing the most common childhood cancers compared to children conceived naturally.
The Challenge
In 2010 nearly 14,000 babies were born following in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Some previous studies have suggested the possibility an increased risk of developing cancer in children born after assisted conception in developing cancer, but studies using data consisting of very large numbers of these children were needed to reliably estimate such a possible risk.
The Research
In the biggest study of its kind, a team from the University College London (UCL) examined the health records of more than 100,000 children up to the age of 15 who were born as a result of IVF. Researchers analysed anonymised linked data between 1992-2008 from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which records information on all UK IVF cycles and the National Registry of Childhood Tumours (NRCT) which is the largest population-based registry in the world of children who develop cancer.
The Results
Results of the study, which was larger than all previous similar studies put together and which were widely publicised in the national press, showed that compared to national rates of cancer over the same time period in children of the same gender, children born from IVF are at no more risk of developing the most common childhood cancers compared to children conceived naturally.
The Impact
These findings, based on use of high-quality, ‘big’ health record data can provide reassurance for couples considering assisted conception, children conceived in this way, their families and clinicians.
For more information about IVF visit: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/IVF/
Enquiries to Natalie Fitzpatrick, Data Facilitator, The Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research, n.fitzpatrick@ucl.ac.uk