Children Born From Frozen Embryos More Likely To Develop Cancer, Study Finds

New research carried out a scientific team at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that children born from frozen embryos may be more likely to develop cancer. Undated photo illustration. (Jon Mills, SWNS/Zenger)

Children born from frozen embryos may be more likely to develop cancer, according to new research.

Chemicals used in the thawing process could cause genetic changes that trigger tumors, say scientists.

The findings, published on September 1, in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Medicine, add to growing concerns about the technique. They are based on almost eight million youngsters in Scandinavia. They were described in a study under the title: Cancer in children born after frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A cohort study.

Co-author Professor Ulla-Britt Wennerholm, of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, said: “A higher risk of cancer in children born after frozen-thawed embryo transfer in assisted reproduction, a large study from the Nordic countries found.”

Most common forms of the disease were leukemia and those affecting the central nervous system. The work did not find IVF or other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) led to any greater risk. The link only existed for frozen embryos.

A vile containing a new batch of embryonic stem cells sits in dry ice at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center at University Wisconsin-Madison, March 10, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin. New research carried out a scientific team at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that children born from frozen embryos may be more likely to develop cancer. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images)

ART allows an embryo to be created from a human egg and sperm in a laboratory. A doctor usually immediately transfers the embryo to the uterus. But the practice of freezing and later thawing before implantation is increasing worldwide.

Previous research has found children born afterward may face higher short-term risk of certain medical issues. But long-term health issues have been less clear.

The Swedish team analyzed medical data from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, tracking 171,744 children born after ART and 7,772,474 conceived naturally. Among the former group, 22,630 were born after frozen-thawed transfer. Statistical analysis showed they were more prone to cancer.

However, when combined as a single group–frozen and fresh embryo babies–the use of any type of ART did not have an increased risk. The researchers emphasize their results should be interpreted with caution. Although the study was large, only 48 children born from frozen embryos later developed cancer.

Embryos are frozen and stored in the cryo store at Birmingham Women’s Hospital fertility clinic on January 22, 2015 in Birmingham, England. New research carried out a scientific team at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden found that children born from frozen embryos may be more likely to develop cancer. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

But they follow a study of over a million children in Denmark that found frozen embryo babies are two and a half times more likely to develop childhood cancers. Prof. Wennerholm said further research is needed to confirm a possible link between the procedure and increased risk of cancer and to identify potential biological mechanisms.

She added: “The individual risk was low, while at a population level it may have an impact due to the huge increase in frozen cycles after assisted reproduction. No increase in cancer was found among children born after assisted reproduction techniques overall.”

Around one in seven couples in the UK struggle to conceive.

Produced in association with SWNS.