Have there been any studies on whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) babies are any more or less likely to have health problems than other babies?

When I attended my first IVF "reunion" with more than 100 IVF babies (and their parents) in attendance, I realized that I knew many of these children as one cell pre-embryos. I had to chuckle when I met with these families. After considering the time, effort and money that these couples put into having a child, somehow I was surprised to realize that these babies whine, cry, and dirty their diapers like any normal baby.

Yes, IVF babies are like any other babies. But there's a little more to consider. For one, women undergoing IVF are generally older than other women giving birth. So, they are at greater risks for certain types of genetic anomalies associated with advanced maternal age. We also know that IVF pregnancies are more likely to result in multiple births. Since pregnancies with more than one baby may deliver early, IVF may increase the risk of health problems associated with premature birth.

You should be reassured, however, that IVF, per se, is safe. The procedure itself does not increase the risk of health problems to any offspring that result.