Neuro-and Mental Development Follow-up Study Of Children Born After IVF-ET

Objective:The effect of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the developing human brain is nuclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate neuro-and mental developmental outcome of children born following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)Methods:A total of85ICSI-conceived children and60IVF-conceived children aged from22months to44.6months were compared with126naturally conceived (NC)controls. Neurodevelopment and mental development was assessed with the Gesell Development Scales.Results:No differences were identified among IVF,ICSI, and NC children with respect to adaption,gross-motor, fine-motor or language.NC children obtained significantly better scores in individual-social development than did children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies.Conclusions:In this follow-up study, IVF, ICSI and NC children show a comparable adaption, motor, language and cognitive development. However, maternal and paternal educational level and raising mode may play different roles in the individual-social development of IVF and ICSI, compared with NC children.