Fertility challenges linked to slight rise in children’s neurodevelopmental issues

Researchers in the United States report that fertility challenges may be associated with a slight increase in neurodevelopmental problems in children.

Linda Kahn and colleagues examined data collected on 15,382 mother–child pairs at 44 sites across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Using survey data and medical records, they identified parents with a history of infertility diagnoses, in vitro fertilization (IVF) or other fertility treatments, multiple miscarriages, and/or long periods of inability to conceive. They also assessed the children’s development between two and 10 years of age, using parent questionnaires and clinician diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The researchers found that children of parents with fertility challenges exhibited slightly more behavior problems, slightly more ASD-like traits, and increased odds of an ASD diagnosis, even when the children were conceived without fertility treatment. They also found that non-IVF fertility treatments were associated with higher odds of ADHD. However, there was no clear association between in vitro fertilization and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The researchers say, “Our results support the growing consensus that the elevated risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes among children conceived via infertility treatment derives from underlying pathology, not the treatment itself.” They add, “Non-IVF treatment was associated with ADHD, warranting further research into specific indications for treatment that may increase risk of offspring neurodevelopmental problems.”

Citations

“Subfecundity, infertility treatment, and child neurodevelopment,” Linda G. Kahn, Alison E. Hipwell, Joseph B. Stanford, Noya Galai, Haozuo Zhao, Akram N. Alshawabkeh, Judy L. Aschner, Emily S. Barrett, Ricardo P. Bertolla, Kim Nail Cajachagua Torres, Carlos A. Camargo, Jr., Jose F. Cordero, Lisa A. Croen, Sean C. Deoni, Semsa Gogcu, Julie B. Herbstman, Margaret R. Karagas, Kaja Z. LeWinn, Kristen Lyall, Cynthia T. McEvoy, Kimberlee McKay, Thomas G. O’Connor, J. Richard Pilsner, Susan L. Schantz, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Alicia K. Smith, Greta N. Wilkening, E. Zhang, Yeyi Zhu, Akhgar Ghassabian, and the ECHO Cohort Consortium, JAMA Network Open, June 8, 2026 (free online). Address: Linda G. Kahn, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 E. 30th St., Room 607, New York, NY 10016, [email protected].

—and—

“Fertility challenges associated with small differences in children’s neurodevelopment, NIH study finds,” news release, June 9, 2026.