Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Children Born after in vitro Fertilization

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate neurodevelopmental long-term outcome in children born after in-vitro fertilization (IVF). METHOD: We performed retrospective study in which we investigated development of neurodevelopmental disability in 254 childern (113 twins, 28 singletons) born after in vitro fertilization between Janurary 1995 and December 1999. We obtained neurodevelopmental status on a certain date and disability of children from medical records or phone interviews of parents. We assessed developmental status, congenital malformation, cerebral palsy and seizure, speech disorder, other neurologic problems, prematurity, low birth weight, maternal age, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy and congenital anomaly. RESULTS: Six children (2.3%) were diagnosed as cerebral palsy, three children (1.2%) as developmental delay and 11 had IVH, 6 had retinopathy, 10 had congenital anomaly (esp. abdominal wall defect). The mean maternal age was 30+/-2.8 years old and gestational age was 35+/-3.0 weeks. One hundred one children (39.7%) were born prematurely, 66.5% low birth weight. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of neurodevelopmental disabilities like cerebral palsy compared to population controls (cerebral palsy 1.9/1000 live birth) was revealed. Therefore, we should know mild high risk of developmental disability and do developmental examination carefully in children born after IVF and long-term follow up.