Comparison of Growth Pattern in Children Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology with or without Gestational...

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as well as various obstetric and perinatal complications. However, the long-term growth trajectories of children conceived via ART in the context of maternal GDM remain unclear. This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effect of GDM on growth parameters among children conceived through ART or spontaneous conception (SC).

The prospective cohort study enrolled 420 children aged 3-5 years, who were categorized into four groups: ART, ART-GDM, SC-GDM, and SC. Growth assessments included height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), which were extracted from medical records at birth and during follow-up visits at ages 3 and 5 years. Anthropometric data were standardized using age- and sex-adjusted Z-scores. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and included Chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests for normality, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and post hoc comparisons.

Children in the GDM-exposed groups tended to be shorter at birth, with the ART-GDM group showing the highest prevalence of obesity by age 5. Children conceived by ART, particularly those exposed to GDM, were significantly heavier than their SC counterparts. At birth, mean height and weight in the ART, ART-GDM, and GDM groups approximated the 50th percentile. Catch-up growth was evident by age 3, and by age 5, all groups exhibited comparable mean height and weight, with no significant sex-based differences.

Despite being shorter and lighter at birth, children conceived via ART appeared to achieve growth parameters comparable to their peers by preschool age, suggesting compensatory growth. Nonetheless, further longitudinal research is warranted to clarify these findings. Healthcare providers should prioritize the monitoring and management of pregnancies complicated by GDM following assisted conception.