Neurological Sequelae in Children Born After Assisted Conception Techniques in a Tertiary University Hospital in...

Background Assisted conception (AC) methods, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), have transformed reproductive medicine by offering solutions to infertility. However, their long-term health implications, particularly on neurological outcomes in children, require further investigations, especially in the Middle East. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the neurological complications among children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques at King Khalid University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive retrospective review was conducted on the records of pediatric patients born via assisted conception between January 2017 and December 2022. Eligible children aged 18 months and older were included. Data on demographic characteristics, antenatal and postnatal complications, and neurological assessments were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Out of 303 patients, 283 children met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 4.1 ± 1.7 years. Most deliveries were via cesarean section (CS) (194, 68.6%). Premature births accounted for 129 (45.6%), with antenatal complications reported in 58 (45.0%). The primary neurological sequela identified was speech disorder, affecting 18 children (6.4%), with a smaller proportion experiencing behavioral issues (eight, 2.8%) and motor delays (five, 1.8%). Significant associations were found between neurological complications and factors such as very preterm status, low birth weight (LBW), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and associated complications during NICU stays. Conclusion Although the majority of children conceived through assisted reproductive techniques exhibit no significant complications, those born prematurely appear to have a higher risk of neurological issues. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring for children born through assisted conception, particularly those with identified risk factors. Future prospective studies are necessary to further elucidate these associations and improve clinical outcomes for this population.