This study is the first to examine a large group of children born after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) who were old enough at the time of the investigation to make it possible to draw conclusions about the outcome. The aim of the study was to assess the cognitive, behavioural and social development of the children. The study comprised 99 IVF children, 33-85 months of age, from the University Hospitals of Lund and Malmö, Sweden. The children's development was assessed with the Griffiths' scales of mental development. The children's behaviour was delineated through semi-structured interviews with their mothers, covering 50 different behaviours. The mothers also filled in Achenbach's Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). All children were examined by a paediatric neurologist. The results were compared to Swedish population groups. Of the children born, 66% were singletons, 22% were twins, 12% were triplets and 28% were born prematurely in gestational weeks 32-36. The cognitive development of the IVF children was excellent, and their behaviour was normal when compared with two Swedish population groups. Our conclusion was that the development, behaviour and social adaptation of the children was very satisfactory.

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Previous data have indicated that prostaglandins (PG) play an important role in the ovulation process and significant quantities have been found in follicular fluid. The synthesis of PG is influenced by ovarian steroids as well as inflammatory processes. Increased PG has been shown in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis. The aim of this study was to see whether PGF2alpha concentration in follicular fluid varies according to the presence or absence of remaining endometriotic lesions in the pelvis of women with endometriosis. Follicular fluid was collected at visual puncture of the follicles at laparoscopy of 26 women with diagnosed endometriosis. Visible lesions were found in 10 women and in 16 women no lesions could be seen macroscopically. PGF2alpha was determined using radioimmunoassay. The results showed no significant difference in the concentrations of PGF2alpha between women with visible and not macroscopically visible endometriotic lesions and there was no significantly linear correlation with endometriotic lesions in the follicle punctured. These data are in accordance with clinical results showing that fertility rate does not increase in endometriotic women even if the lesions disappear after treatment.

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