In vitro fertilization children: Early psychosocial development

Abstract

Following community concerns regarding the status of children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), 33 children who had received pediatric follow-up were seen for a psychosocial evaluation. Parents were interviewed in a semistructured format by a child psychiatrist regarding their child's development, child-centered problems, parental problems, marital issues, parenting experience, and experience of the IVF program. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered to the children by a clinical psychologist. Children's ages ranged from 12 to 37 months (the majority between 12 and 20 months). There was a high incidence of prematurity and twins in the population seen. Twenty-two children had no current problems and seven presented minor problems. Of the four with significant developmental problems, two had been very low-birth weight infants with significant neurological problems and one had severe congenital heart disease. Overall Bayley Scale scores were within the normal range and parents as a group were seen to function well. Problems presented were in accordance with those expected in a population of this age range, particularly considering the high incidence of prematurity.

The “Test‐Tube” Generation: Parent–Child Relationships and the Psychological Well‐Being of In Vitro Fertilization Children at Adolescence

“…The first studies looked at small samples of IVF children and lacked appropriate comparison groups (Mushin, Barreda-Hanson, & Spensley, 1986;Yovich, Parry, French, & Grauaug, 1986). However, controlled studies using standardized measures later established that the cognitive development of IVF children is within the normal range (Brandes et al, 1992;Cederblad et al, 1996;Gibson, Ungerer, Leslie, Saunders, & Tennant, 1998;Raoul-Duval, Bertrand-Servais, LeturKonirsch, & Frydman, 1994;Ron-El et al, 1994).…”

School functioning in 8- to 18-year-old children born after in vitro fertilization

“…Although IVF pregnancies appear to be associated with an increased risk of multiple pregnancy, preterm delivery, low birth weight, [2,7,8,10,14,16,[21][22][23][24][25]. Developmental and neurological problems that were found at this young age were mainly related to prematurity, low birth weight, or multiple births [2,3,15]. Also, intellectual development around the age of 5 years was investigated and found not to be different in children conceived by IVF compared to naturally conceived children [4,11,19,20].…”

The 24th Hilda Lewis Memorial Lecture: Creating Children — The Medical and Social Dilemmas of Assisted Reproduction

“…'They are as "normal" as any child conceived in the more usual way' (Mushin, et a/). 23 Other follow-up studies have come to similar conclusions." But parents are concerned that the children may be seen as unusual or even bizarre in their communities.…”