Do IVF Babies Have Higher Risk of Autism?

Understanding the Basics of IVF and Autism

Alright, let’s break this down. IVF (in vitro fertilization) has been around for a while now — since 1978, actually. It helps couples who can’t conceive naturally by fertilizing the egg in a lab. Simple in theory, a bit complex in reality.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), on the other hand, is a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. There’s still a lot we don’t know about what causes it — but we do know it’s influenced by genetics and some environmental factors.

So naturally, the big question pops up: Does using IVF increase the chances of autism in babies?

What the Research Actually Says

This topic's been poked and prodded by scientists quite a bit. And well… the results? Mixed.

Studies That Suggest a Slight Increase

Some studies — like one from Sweden published in JAMA Pediatrics — did show a slightly increased risk of autism among IVF babies, especially when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used. That’s a fancy term for injecting a single sperm into an egg.

But hold on — the risk increase was tiny. We’re talking like, less than 1%. And the researchers admitted the numbers could be affected by stuff like parental age, preterm birth, or low birth weight.

Studies That Found No Link at All

Other major research projects, including large-scale ones in the U.S. and UK, found no solid link between IVF and autism. Nada. Zilch.

One particular study from the CDC looked at over 5 million births and didn’t find IVF to be a significant risk factor. The authors basically said, "Hey, it’s probably not the IVF procedure itself — maybe it's other stuff."

The Role of Parental Age and Other Factors

Here's the twist. It's often not IVF that’s the issue — it's the reasons people use IVF in the first place.

Advanced parental age

Couples using IVF are often older — mid to late 30s, even early 40s. And we do know that both maternal and paternal age can bump up the risk of autism. That part’s backed by a bunch of studies.

So when you think about it, is it the IVF, or the fact that people doing IVF tend to be older? Hmm… 🤔

Premature birth and low birth weight

IVF babies are a bit more likely to be born early or underweight. And guess what? Those two things have also been associated with higher autism risk. Again, it circles back to complications — not necessarily the fertilization method.

IVF Techniques Have Changed Over Time

Not all IVF is created equal. The process today is waaaay more refined than it was even 10 years ago.

For example, embryos are usually screened more carefully, and doctors now often transfer just one embryo to reduce the risk of twins (which is another risk factor for preterm birth). The tools and timing have improved too.

So older studies that flagged concerns? Yeah, they might not reflect today’s techniques. That’s kinda important.

Real Talk: Should IVF Parents Worry?

Honestly? Probably not. If you’re considering IVF or already had a baby through IVF — don’t panic.

Yes, there's a ton of info out there, and some of it sounds scary. But the overwhelming majority of IVF babies are perfectly healthy, and the autism risk (if it exists at all) is small and tangled up with a bunch of other factors.

Talk to your doctor — not Google

This topic’s a rabbit hole. I’ve been down it. More than once. What really helps is talking to a fertility specialist or pediatrician who’s up to date with the latest research.

Because let's be real — it’s easy to freak yourself out reading article after article online (been there, done that).

Conclusion: It's Complicated — But Not Alarming

So, do IVF babies have a higher risk of autism? Short answer: maybe a tiny bit, depending on the circumstances. But probably not because of IVF itself.

It’s more about parental age, pregnancy complications, and other health stuff. And the science is still evolving — like, there’s new research coming out every year.

Bottom line? If you're going through IVF, take a breath. You're doing great. And chances are, your baby will be just fine.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.