A jump of 20pc in the number of low weight births in Ireland is mainly due to the use of IVF. That’s according to obstetrician Michael Turner, director of the UCD Centre for Human Reproduction at the Coombe Hospital.
While low weight births are decreasing across the world, a study just published in the Lancet shows Ireland has had a 20% increase since the year 2000, which is the second highest increase among higher income countries.
The increase comes despite a worldwide commitment to reduce such births by 30pc by the year 2025.
Professor Turner attributes the Irish increase to a 30pc rise in the birth of twins and triplets from IVF.
