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Psychological follow-up study of 5-year-old ICSI children
I Ponjaert-Kristoffersen1, T Tjus, J Nekkebroeck
1Department of Developmental- and Lifespanpsychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. ikristof@vub.ac.be
Insights
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) does not significantly impact 5-year-olds' cognitive development or psychological well-being compared to spontaneous conception (SC). Some visual-spatial differences noted require further study.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding the developmental outcomes of children conceived via Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
- This study aimed to evaluate psychological development in 5-year-olds conceived through ICSI versus spontaneous conception (SC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the psychological outcomes of 5-year-old children born after ICSI with those born after SC.
- To identify any developmental differences between ICSI and SC conceived children at age five.
Main Methods:
- Matched cohort study involving 300 singleton children conceived via ICSI and 300 via SC.
- Utilized Wechsler Preschool and Primary scales of intelligence (WPPSI-R), Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Parenting Stress Index, and Child Behaviour Checklist.
Main Results:
- No significant cognitive differences (WPPSI-R verbal/performance) between ICSI and SC groups.
- ICSI children showed higher scores below 1 SD on specific visual-spatial subtests (Object Assembly, Block Design, Mazes).
- Site-specific differences in parenting stress, child behavior, and motor development were observed, likely due to cultural or selection factors.
Conclusions:
- ICSI does not appear to negatively affect overall psychological well-being or cognitive development at age 5.
- Further investigation is warranted for the observed differences in visual-spatial subscales among ICSI children.
Background:
The developmental outcomes of children born after ICSI are still a matter of concern. The purpose of the present study was to investigate psychological outcomes for 5-year-old children born after ICSI and compare these with outcomes for children born after spontaneous conception (SC).
Methods:
Three hundred singleton children born after ICSI in Belgium, Sweden and the USA were matched by maternal age, child age and gender. Outcome measures included the Wechsler Preschool and Primary scales of intelligence (WPPSI-R), Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Parenting Stress Index and Child Behaviour Checklist.
Results:
Regarding cognitive development, no significant differences were found on WPPSI-R verbal and performance scales between ICSI and SC children. However, some differences were noted on subtests of the Performance Scale. ICSI children more often obtained a score below 1 SD of the mean on the subtests: Object Assembly, Block Design and Mazes (all P<0.05). Significant differences by site (i.e. Belgium, Sweden and New York) were found on subtests related to parenting stress, child behaviour problems and motor development (all P<0.05). These findings can probably be explained by variables other than conception mode, such as cultural differences and selection bias.
Conclusions:
Although the finding that a higher proportion of ICSI children obtained scores below the cut-off on some of the visual-spatial subscales of the WPPSI-R warrants further investigation, ICSI does not appear to affect the psychological well-being or cognitive development at age 5.