Birth Defects, IVF Linked, but How Linked?

Though the octuplets have pushed in vitro fertilization into the spotlight, there's still one question that's going largely unasked, reports the New York Times: "What is the chance that an IVF baby will have a birth defect?" Though a November study provided preliminary evidence—of 9,584 babies with birth defects, 2.4% were conceived through IVF—and the risk appears minimal, scientists want to know more...but they're largely the only ones.

The head of IVF at a Boston hospital says not a single patient has been deterred by the mention of increased risk for rare genetic disorders included on the consent firm. Another IVF director echoes her experience: “I have never had a patient ask me anything” about it, he said, adding, “For that matter, not many doctors have ever asked, either.”
(More in vitro fertilization stories.)