A jump of 20pc in the number of low weight births in Ireland is mainly due to the use of IVF [1]. 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 [2] 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.