Reply to IVF/ICSI/ART kids and side effects

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm doing IVF (with ICSI) and I keep seeing all these things about children conceived through ART or with ICSI as being at[b] higher risk for genetic syndromes[/b], some of which sound really scary (higher risks of childhood cancer!??!)

Did any of you see/hear about this? Anyone's RE talk to them about this? Or do you know any children conceived through ART that do have a syndrome related to ART? I'm trying to figure out what is real and what is hype. Thanks![/quote]

I looked into this pretty extensively myself.  There does seem to be a slight increased incidence of problems (more so in boys).  Its not a huge incidence though.  The main thing is, they don't necessarily think its the ART, ICSI, etc, but that[b] they are using sperm that never would have been able to fertilize an egg if not for these procedures[/b].  So its likely due to use of sub-par sperm.  No one has been able to prove this yet; just a theory.  Personally, I don't think the risk is all that great, and its the difference between having or not having a child.  [/quote]

OP, syndromes happen in nature with or without intervention. It's a genetic coin toss. If this is the only way you can conceive a child, do not let obscure musings derail your efforts.

[b]PP, that is a gross generalization. Sub-par sperm won't fertilize an egg. Besides, sperm issues may be related to count rather than morphology or motility.[/quote][/b]

We did IVF with ICSI.  Given DHs practically zero sperm count, it was strongly recommended we skip over IUI and go straight to IVF w/ ICSI.  We may have been warned of the increased risk of birth defects due to use of ICSI but I have no recollection of being educated about genetic syndromes.  Our kids are now 4 and 2.  They're both just fine.  Of the dozen folks we know who used ART to conceive, no one has any ART related syndromes that we are aware of.

To the PP who talked about sub-par sperm not fertilizing an egg.  The whole reason ICSI exists is so that sub-par sperm can be used to fertilize an egg.  DH consistently had ONE normal sperm, all else was low to no motility and abnormal morphology.

OP, for our situation it was worth the risks. [/quote]

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