IVF-->slight increase in risk of birth defects

According to a new study from the University of Iowa, babies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) have a slightly increased risk of major birth defects (eg, heart or muscle and skeletal defects) compared with babies made the old-fashioned way. The increase is slight--a risk of 6.2% for babies conceived through IVF, versus 4.4% for naturally conceived infants--but may be worth considering. It is not known whether the increase in risk is the result of IVF, or the result of some other factor; other characteristics of women/couples seeking IVF could account for the rise. In addition, the study addresses only congenital defects--not problems that might arise later in life. Here's the link to the abstract in PubMed.