There is some speculation about In Vitro Fertilization leasing to brain damage in babies. IVF does have higher rates for multiple births due to the procedure that implants more than one fertilized egg into the womb. This has been proven over the years with the latest publicized birthing of the woman that gave birth to eight babies within the last year. Many people using IVF know the possibility of the multiple births and are generally prepared to deal with more than one baby at birth.

The speculation regarding brain damage in the IVF babies has been a controversy that has lead to numerous studies over the years. Some studies support the claim while there are other studies that state this is not a true claim. The true issue with IVF births and babies is the common occurrence the babies do not go full term and are often considered premature births. While it is true premature babies do have potential for health related issues the facts do not support that IVF leads to brain damage in those children.

The development of the premature babies from IVF generally have an increased risk of lung related issues but not brain issues or developmental deficiencies. Since the babies are delivered cesarean and not through the normal birth canal they do not experience the lack of oxygen often contributed to brain damage in babies of the natural birthing process that have reduced or restricted oxygen to the brain during birth.

A recent study in Europe by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology was focused on the development of babies three months of age and older who were IVF babies. The findings showed the babies in the case study were at the same developmental levels as other babies born the conventional means. In the case 68 babies were monitored for development and possible brain damage. Yet all were up to the charted standards.

To prove the IVF babies were not developmental challenged the study extended their research to include babies at older ages and they found the development of those children were on the normal range for child development.