[Medium and long-term health outcome of children conceived through in vitro fertilization].

MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM HEALTH OUTCOME OF CHILDREN CONCEIVED THROUGH IN VITRO FERTILIZATION. Numerous studies have been carried out in children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) focusing on the occurrence of various alterations in their health. It appears that if children can sometimes be affected by health problems, without a particular type predominating, nevertheless their incidence is relatively moderate and not much greater than in naturally conceived children. The alterations observed in children are not necessarily attributable to IVF insofar as infertile couples may be more at risk of transmitting to their children factors responsible for health disturbances. The mechanisms involved in the occurrence of the observed alterations are poorly understood. If disruptions of epigenetic regulations are most often mentioned, research is still needed to clarify them.