Higher Rate Of Cancer Among Test-tube Babies
A new study out of Sweden suggests that there may be a higher incidence of childhood cancer among test-tube babies. The authors believe the increase is related to the genetic makeup of the parents and may be what caused the initial fertility issues. They don't believe the IVF process is what is causing the increase in cancer.
While test-tube babies do seem to have elevated risks for the disease the actual rate of cancer is still very small.
Lindsey Tanner of The Associated Press has more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_TEST_TUBE_BABIES_CANCER?SITE=NMALJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
The results of the new study were published online Monday in Pediatrics. It analyzed more than 2.4 million births in Sweden between 1982 and 2005, including almost 27,000 IVF babies, along with cancer data in children tracked for up to 19 years.
Overall, 53 IVF children developed cancer versus 38 that would be expected in other children of the same age, a 42 percent increased risk. Leukemia and brain cancers were among the most common.
While test-tube babies do seem to have elevated risks for the disease the actual rate of cancer is still very small.
Lindsey Tanner of The Associated Press has more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_TEST_TUBE_BABIES_CANCER?SITE=NMALJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
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