Risk and complications of IVF NT
IVF is a reproductive technology that artificially transfers the fertilized eggs into the mother's uterus. Although a major breakthrough has been made in solving the problem of infertility, IVF NT also has some risks and complications. This article will elaborate from four aspects: embryo selection, multiple pregnancy, tubal ectopic pregnancy and birth defects.
1. Embryo selection
Embryo selection in IVF technology refers to screening some characteristics of embryos, so as to select the most likely embryos for implantation and development for transfer. However, embryo selection may have certain risks. First, embryo biopsy may cause damage to the embryo, resulting in stunting or embryo death. Secondly, due to biological and technological constraints, embryo selection cannot guarantee success. In addition, embryo selection also faces moral and ethical challenges.
At the University Hospital of Notre Dame in California, the doctors who select IVF embryos use the latest micro implantation technology to screen embryo chromosomes, so as to select the most likely successful embryos. However, this method is not foolproof.
2. Multiple pregnancy
IVF technology has greatly increased the probability of multiple pregnancy. Because in the process of IVF, it is usually necessary to transfer multiple embryos into the uterus, and such multiple pregnancies will increase the health risks of mothers and infants.
Multiple pregnancy may lead to premature delivery, fetal dysplasia and increased risk of delivery. In addition, multiple pregnancy may also cause complications such as hypertension and diabetes in pregnant women. Therefore, for IVF, doctors and patients need to balance the relationship between the birth risk and the success rate of multiple births.
3. Tubal ectopic pregnancy
Tubal ectopic pregnancy is a complication of IVF technology, which refers to the implantation of embryos outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This symptom may lead to rupture of the fallopian tube and massive bleeding, threatening the mother's life.
Experts from Children's Hospital affiliated to Chongqing Medical University pointed out that tubal ectopic pregnancy is related to the damage to the fallopian tube during the process of IVF. Therefore, a comprehensive inspection of the fallopian tube should be carried out before carrying out IVF to avoid the occurrence of tubal ectopic pregnancy as far as possible.
4. Birth defects
Compared with natural pregnancy, IVF may have a slightly higher risk of birth defects. Studies have shown that IVF babies have slightly higher risks of congenital defects and genetic diseases than naturally conceived babies.
The study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that the risk of IVF babies suffering from birth defects such as cleft lip and palate was 1.4 times higher than that of naturally conceived babies. In addition, some genetic diseases may also appear in IVF, such as cystic fibrosis and thalassemia.
Summary
To sum up, the risks and complications of IVF NT mainly include embryo selection, multiple pregnancy, tubal ectopic pregnancy and birth defects. Embryo selection may pose challenges that impair embryo development and ethics. Multiple pregnancy increases the health risk of mother and baby. Ectopic tubal pregnancy can lead to tubal rupture and massive bleeding. Compared with natural pregnancy, IVF has a slightly higher risk of birth defects. Therefore, before IVF technology, doctors and patients need to fully understand these risks and complications, and make trade-offs and decisions. In the future, with the progress of science and technology and the improvement of medical technology, it is believed that these risks and complications will gradually reduce, bringing hope to more infertile couples.
