Link between assisted conception and tumours

01 April 1991

Several cases of children born from assisted conception developing tumours have come to light.

An Australian oncology department reported five such children born between l985 and l987 developing brain tumours.Although three of the cases were in vitro fertilization, and two through artificial insemination, the common link, says the research team, is clomiphene (Clomid) used to stimulate ovulation.

The letter published in the Lancet urged all doctors keep records of methods of fertilization. That goes for patients, too.

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