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Fertility treatment itself does not increase risk of development delays and disabilities in children conceived through such treatments, a new study claims.

The study showed no significant differences between the onset of development delays among children born through Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) or without assistance though higher and disorders in parents who may opt for ART can increase risk of disabilities.

"When we began our study, there was little research on the potential effects of conception via fertility treatments on U.S. children," said Edwina Yeung, one of the study's investigators at US's National Institute (NIH). "Our results provide reassurance to the thousands of couples who have relied on these treatments to establish their families."

For the study, researchers reviewed data collected from 5,841 children and 4,824 mothers between 2008 and 2010, UPI reports. Data provided by parents on development delays in children through questionnaires at various ages of children was also made available for the study. The findings applied to all types of treatments.

"Assisted reproductive technology was associated with increased risk for failing any developmental domain but only when singletons and twins were evaluated together. After considering plurality, children's development through age 3 years was similar irrespective of infertility treatment or specific type," researchers wrote in JAMA Pediatrics.