World IVF Day 2026: Can IVF babies develop autism or ADHD; fertility expert busts biggest myths
New Delhi: For thousands of couples struggling with infertility, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) represents hope, not just for parenthood but for building a healthy family. Yet despite decades of advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART), one persistent fear continues to haunt many prospective parents: Are IVF babies more likely to develop autism or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
The concern has been amplified by social media conversations, misinformation on online forums and anecdotal claims, often leaving couples anxious even before beginning fertility treatment. Fertility experts, however, say these fears are largely driven by misconceptions rather than medical evidence.
“One of the biggest myths we continue to encounter in our clinics is that IVF babies are somehow less healthy or more likely to develop autism or ADHD. This is simply not supported by current scientific evidence. Couples should rely on medical facts, not myths circulating online,” says Dr Bushra Khan, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Kharadi, Pune.
As the world observes World IVF Day (July 25), specialists are urging couples to separate fear from fact and understand what the latest research actually says.
No scientific evidence links IVF itself to autism or ADHD, says Dr Bushra Khan of Nova IVF Fertility, Pune
Globally, infertility affects nearly one in six people during their reproductive years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As more couples opt for IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, questions about the long-term health of children conceived through these methods have naturally attracted scientific attention.
While some early observational studies reported a slightly higher incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders among children conceived through assisted reproduction, experts caution that these studies often failed to fully account for important confounding factors, including:
- Advanced maternal and paternal age
- Underlying causes of infertility
- Multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets)
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Pregnancy complications
Many of these factors are independently associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes and may explain much of the observed difference rather than the IVF procedure itself.
Myth 1: IVF causes autism
Fact: There is no evidence that IVF itself causes autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition influenced primarily by genetic factors, along with multiple prenatal and environmental influences. Researchers have spent years studying whether assisted reproduction independently contributes to autism risk.
Recent large population-based studies have found that after adjusting for maternal age, pregnancy complications and other confounding factors, IVF is not significantly associated with autism risk.
“Autism is a multifactorial condition with strong genetic and developmental influences. There is no evidence proving that the IVF procedure itself causes autism. Couples should not avoid fertility treatment because of an unfounded fear,” explains Dr Khan.
Some earlier meta-analyses suggested a modest association, but researchers themselves noted that the findings were inconsistent and likely influenced by parental characteristics and pregnancy-related factors rather than IVF alone.
Myth 2: Every IVF baby has a higher autism risk
Fact: Most IVF children grow and develop normally
Medical experts emphasise that millions of healthy children have been born worldwide through IVF over the past four decades.
The overwhelming majority of IVF-conceived children experience normal physical, cognitive and behavioural development.
“It is incorrect and unfair to label all IVF babies as being at higher risk of autism. The vast majority of children conceived through IVF enjoy healthy childhoods and develop just like children conceived naturally,” says Dr Khan.
Myth 3: Frozen embryos increase autism risk
Fact: Frozen embryo transfer has not been shown to increase autism risk
The use of frozen embryo transfer (FET) has increased dramatically in recent years because of improvements in cryopreservation techniques.
Current evidence does not demonstrate that children born following frozen embryo transfer have a higher risk of autism compared with those born after fresh embryo transfer. A recent systematic review similarly found no significant differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes between frozen and fresh embryo transfers.
Myth 4: IVF children are more likely to develop ADHD
Fact: Current evidence is reassuring, though research continues
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is another condition frequently mentioned in discussions surrounding IVF.
Recent systematic reviews have reported either no meaningful increase or only a very small statistical increase in ADHD diagnoses among children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies. Researchers stress that even where a slight increase is observed, the absolute difference is small and may reflect parental and pregnancy-related factors rather than IVF itself.
“Parents should not panic that choosing IVF means their child will develop ADHD. Current evidence does not establish IVF as the cause. Several biological and genetic factors contribute to ADHD, and the IVF procedure itself has not been shown to be responsible,” says Dr Khan.
Myth 5: Fertility medicines affect a child’s behaviour
Fact: There is no clear evidence linking fertility medications to ADHD
Another misconception is that hormonal medications used during IVF alter brain development in the unborn child.
Current research has not established a direct causal relationship between fertility medications and ADHD or behavioural disorders in offspring. Scientists continue to monitor long-term outcomes, but available evidence remains reassuring.
Understanding autism and ADHD: What really influences risk?
Experts say autism and ADHD develop through a complex interaction of multiple biological factors rather than a single cause.
Research has consistently shown that important contributors may include:
- Strong genetic predisposition
- Advanced parental age
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Maternal diabetes and certain pregnancy complications
- Other prenatal developmental influences
Why fertility specialists urge couples not to delay treatment because of myths
Medical professionals warn that delaying fertility treatment because of misinformation can itself reduce the chances of pregnancy, particularly as fertility naturally declines with age.
“Couples already dealing with infertility carry an enormous emotional burden. They should not have to shoulder unnecessary fear created by myths. The best decision is one guided by evidence and discussion with a qualified fertility specialist – not social media rumours,” Dr Khan says.
More than four decades after the birth of the world’s first IVF baby, extensive research has shown that IVF is a safe and effective treatment for infertility. While scientists continue to study the long-term health of children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies, current evidence does not support the claim that IVF itself causes autism or ADHD.