Assisted Reproduction and Childhood Neurodevelopment

Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) such as IVF and ICSI have revolutionized infertility treatment but may carry potential risks for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in offspring. Studies suggest a slightly increased risk of conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental delays possibly due to factors like multiple births prematurity or underlying parental infertility. However the overall risk remains low and most ART-conceived children develop typically. Continued research is needed to fully understand the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of ART.