Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring
Published on: May 17, 2024
Comparison of developmental status of 5-year-old singleton children born through assisted and natural conceptions
Razieh Fallah1, Sedighah Akhavan Karbasi1, Mohammad Taghi Galalian2
1Department of Pediatrics, Growth Disorders of Children Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Insights
Children conceived via assisted reproductive technologies (ART) showed higher rates of developmental delays in fine motor and problem-solving skills by age five. Maternal education and birth weight significantly impacted ART children's development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) account for approximately 1% of global live births.
- Understanding the long-term developmental outcomes of ART-conceived children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the developmental status at age five between children conceived via ART and those conceived naturally.
- To identify factors influencing developmental outcomes in ART-conceived children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study evaluated 61 ART-conceived singletons and 61 naturally conceived singletons at age five.
- Developmental status was assessed using the Persian version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-Persian).
- Participants were recruited from fertility centers and primary healthcare centers in Iran.
Main Results:
- ART-conceived children exhibited significantly higher frequencies of developmental delay in fine motor skills (47.5% vs. 24.6%) and problem-solving (60.6% vs. 34.4%).
- Maternal educational level was an independent predictor for both fine motor (OR: 5.3) and problem-solving (OR: 4.88) development.
- Birth weight independently influenced problem-solving development (OR: 7.1).
Conclusions:
- ART-conceived children may face increased risks for specific developmental delays by age five.
- Maternal educational level and birth weight are significant factors influencing the developmental trajectory of ART-conceived children.
- Further research is warranted to explore interventions and support for ART-conceived children's development.
Background:
Approximately one percent of current live births of the world are conceived via assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental status of children born through assisted and natural conceptions at the age of five years.
Materials And Methods:
In a retrospective cohort study, developmental status of 5 years old children was evaluated via Persian version of 60-month Ages and Stages Questionnaires. Case group consisted of 61 singletons, term babies whom were born through ART in the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran in 2005. Control group consisted of 61 term, first child, singleton and spontaneously conceived born five years old children whom were referred to Shahid Akbari primary health care center in 2010.
Results:
58 girls (47.5%) and 64 boys (52.5%) were evaluated. Frequency of developmental delay in domains of fine motor (47.5% vs. 24.6%, p=0.008) and problem solving (60.6% vs. 34.4%, p=0.004) were more in ART born children. On logistic regression, fine motor development state was independently affected by maternal educational level (OR: 5.3, 95% CI: 1.67-16.30, p=0.004) and developmental status in problem solving domains was independently affected by maternal educational level (OR: 4.88, 95% CI: 1.25-19.07, p=0.02) and birth weight (OR: 7.1, 95% CI: 1.78-29.01, p=0.006) CONCLUSION: Maternal educational level and birth weight are important factors that influenced developmental outcome of ART born children.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Introduction to Developmental Psychology
01:21The Nativist Approach
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:15Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...